November 2010 Herald

EARLY-NOVEMBER 2010

Packed with information!

Please read every page!

There’s lots happening in Bagworth!

Bagworth Sure Start building nears completion The SureStart building which has been under construction next to the Community Centre on Station Road in Bagworth is on course for completion in early December with an opening planned for the New Year.

Bagworth Village Hall

Christmas Bingo Monday 29th November at 7.30pm Christmas Prizes to be won Admission FREE Bagworth Forward Group Enhancing the life of the village

A Christmas Market will be held at Markfield Court Retirement Village, off Ratby Lane, Markfield, on Saturday 20th November from 10:30am to 2:00pm.

A variety of activities and stalls will be available including shoes & slippers, tombola, raffle, gifts, cakes, knitwear, etc.

There will also be a “flea market” of second hand toys, clothing, books and bric-a-brac.

Snacks will be available. Everyone is very welcome.

The single storey building will provide 156m2 of accommodation, and is being built in materials chosen to complement the surrounding buildings. The building will provide a number of facilities including entrance foyer, office area, consulting room, plant and store rooms, kitchenette, toilet and changing facilities, wet area and large family room.

Everyone loves a game of Bingo!

Don’t miss the Christmas Market at Markfield Court

Mavis Hollingbery Markfield Court Resident’s Association

Grading success for Markfield Martial Arts Club members Congratulations to three members of the Markfield Zen Goshin Ryu Martial Arts School who recently passed their Brown Belts.

Laurie Cox, Keith Turner, and Richard Morris underwent a demanding 2 hour examination that included a wide variety of self defence techniques, knife/ staff weapon demonstrations, breakfalls and Kata.

The gradings were adjudicated

by Sensei Andrew Walker/ Sensei Gavin Walker of the Zen Goshin Ryu Martial Art School and Founder Dr. David Lyons/Grand Master Peter Smith of the Zenyogkido Martial Art foundation. Dr. David Lyons is one of only a handful of 10th Degree Black belts in the country and has been involved in Martial Arts for over 60 years. He was extremely impressed with their standard and said “they were among the best gradings I have witnessed, the students are not just a credit to the club but also to Martial Arts.”

The Zen Goshin Ryu Martial Arts School has established itself as one of the leading Martial Art clubs in Leicestershire. It runs seven classes in Markfield with over 100 members. New classes are being added to its schedule to keep up with demand. For further information about joining please contact Andrew Walker on 01530 231714 or 07975 833078 or visit the clubs website at www.leicestermartialarts.co.uk.

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 4th December - Advert & Articles Needed By 20th November

This issue of The Herald is being delivered over the weekend of 6th & 7th November 2010 by our team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Amy, Coral, Daisy, Matthew, Janet, Jack, Don, Sam, Maureen, John, Yvonne, Lauren, Gill, John, Helen, Jeanie, Jenny, Sarah, Susan, Thomas, Tracey, Alex, Ann, Rowan and John & Sue.

Next Issue (December) - Out on Weekend of 4th & 5th December. Please send your adverts & articles before 20th November.

Vote to get superfast broadband

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

Tel: 01530 244069 Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk Website: www.markfieldherald.co.uk The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon, Thornton and Bagworth.

Contact Mike Wilkinson or Susan Hatton with your articles, news items or advertising enquiries.

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ADVERTISING RATES: Page 21

Mike Williams has written to the Herald about the forthcoming introduction of ultra high speed broadband.

BT are now asking for Expression of Interest for BT Infinity - Ultra High Speed Internet.

Mike has asked us to make Herald readers aware of the need to express interest in obtaining the service locally. You can do this by voting online at the Race to Infinity website: www.racetoinfinity.bt.com Mike says: ”At the time of writing we have 18 out of 3,403 votes cast so far.

“We MUST all vote by 31st December 2010. Please be assured that voting does NOT commit you to paying for anything.”

Below is an extract from the webpage:

What is The Race to Infinity?

Over the next five years BT is rolling out superfast fibre optic broadband across the UK. If you’re not on the announced roll out plan The Race to Infinity gives you the opportunity to fast track your area to get BT Infinity next.

The five areas with the largest percentage of votes by December 31st 2010 will win the chance to bring superfast broadband to their area. BT will also donate £5,000 of computer equipment to a local community project.

Whether you’re big on social networking, gaming, streaming, uploading or downloading, prepare to have your life transformed with superfast speeds.

To vote simply go to ‘VOTE NOW’ and enter your details. Don’t forget to pass it on to your friends on Facebook and Twitter to get your area to the top of the scoreboard.

The website has a Frequently Asked Questions page if you have further questions about the race.

It’s amazing how long it takes to complete something you’re not working on.

Charity Fashion Show and Sale In aid of Rainbows Childrens and Young People’s Hospice Wednesday November 17th, 7.30pm at Markfield Community Centre The ticket price is £5 and there will be a raffle, auction, jewellery stall etc with all the proceeds going to Rainbows Childrens Hospice.

There will be also be a licensed bar, as well as a chance to pick up a great bargain.

The fashion show and sale is courtesy of Smartys Ltd. The clothes are carefully selected and offer a rare opportunity to purchase end of lines and overmakes from all major high street stores including M&S; Per Una, Monsoon, Principles, White Stuff etc. with savings of up to 50%-70% off original store prices. There will be a vast selection of over 1000 items to suit all tastes and sizes ranging from 8 - 22.

You will have the opportunity to try on the garments & there will be facilities to pay by Credit Card, and if you are not happy with your purchase Smartys offer a 28 day full refund policy.

So come along with friends and shop for your winter or Christmas outfits while saving lots of money and having a lovely evening out too.

We are also looking for ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes to model the clothes during the evening and you don’t have to be Naomi, Kate or Elle, just you! And don’t worry because you will be choreographed so will know exactly where to go and what to do before stepping onto the catwalk! So if you think you would enjoy being a model we would love to hear from you.

To purchase your tickets, or for more information call 07831 101278 or email rainbowscharity@live.co.uk

Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.

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Pampas Most plants seem to have highs and lows of popularity.

Certainly Pampas Grass has been out of favour for some years now, and with its dangerously sharp grass-blades is likely to remain so.

Yuccas, and others with damaging features, can be seen to be avoided, but Pampas can easily catch the unwary. Nevertheless just now is its season of beauty – but beauty only if its size and position are chosen carefully. Notice how those tall ones have their plumes battered by wind and rain? Choose the variety ‘Pumila’, which stays at an attractive 5 feet high clump.

Each year I admire a specimen on London Road in Markfield. If tempted to grow Pampas, ensure it is this short-growing one, and plant only in spring. The flowers, if cut and dried, last in beauty for many weeks.

Yuccas Surprisingly little is ever written on Yuccas, plants which almost everyone knows by name, and recognised, both for their architectural and exotic garden use, and, perhaps most of all, for their magnificent spires of creamy/white bellflowers.

Not recommended for gardens where children play. I suspect that many fine, and well established specimens, are removed for this reason when houses change hands. As a regular visitor to Garden Centres I know that the several variegated leaved forms are almost always correctly labelled, whereas the standard green ones are often confused.

All make good patio-plants in containers. The larger ones could be used more often in gardens, as their bold shape makes them ideal as ‘marker’ plants.

The small-growing Yuccas ‘Filamentosa’ and ‘Flaccida’ flower quite regularly, but not so the two

Gardening Notes with Ted

Brown of Markfield

November Miscellany large green Yuccas ‘Gloriosa’ and ‘Recurvifolia’. It is these two which raise the admiring comments when their stunning flowers appear. But sadly not every year. ‘Gloriosa’ is the one with stiff upright foliage, ‘Recurvifolia’, as its name suggests, has only the top foliage erect, the remainder, long and somewhat drooping. Strangely, although ‘Recurvifolia’ is not often seen for sale, all the plants I have seen in the Leicestershire area in full-flower have been on ‘Recurvifolia’, not ‘Gloriosa’. Are rooted pieces passed around between neighbours and friends, I wonder?

Certainly if the roots of a growing plant are disturbed by digging etc. it does sucker quite freely. All Yuccas need sun to grow well. The shoots on which flowers arise, die afterwards, but several new ones appear low down.

By far the most best-selling Yucca is the variegated form of Yucca Gloriosa. This has been known since the 1800’s, but only since the introduction of propagation by micro-culture, has it become widely available. I was recently asked a question on the flowering of this plant, which I couldn’t answer too well. The original plant must have been a ‘sport’ from the green form, so in theory it will have the same flowering potential. However, being so much slower growing, and the fact that ‘Gloriosa’ flowers irregularly anyway, it would be prudent not to expect a bumper flowering! It is now about 30 years

since ‘Variegata’ was introduced generally, so there must be some very well established plants around.

Does any reader have experience or knowledge of its flowering?

Just a final word on Yuccas. The common name ‘Adam’s Needle’ is often used for Yucca Gloriosa but I notice that the R.H.S. Dictionary applies this name to Yucca Filamentosa and uses ‘Spanish Dagger’ for Yucca Gloriosa.

Club-Root on Brassicas The Radio Leicester Gardening Programme discussed this recently.

Apparently no chemicals are available to combat it. Lime is essential and whereas one speaker suggested growing plants initially in small 3½” or so pots, I think even better is a larger say 5 or 6” pot, and additionally making a larger planting-hole lined with a multi-purpose compost. This to get the roots away before meeting the infected soil. Also, as the speakers said, try to grow varieties having some resistance to the disease. A newish cabbage variety ‘Kilazol’ (must be of foreign breeding – no British firm would choose such an unfortunate name!) is said to be good for both resistance and quality small, tight cabbages.

Potatoes with purple, or darker, skins have been available almost since they were first grown, but always with normal coloured flesh.

‘Purple Majesty’, now on sale at one of our supermarkets, has flesh remaining purple when cooked.

Not unnaturally, the advertising spiel emphasises the nutritional value of this colour in food. This denied by some experts. What is

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Red Brussel Sprouts A newish variety ‘Red Bull’ has sprouts said to have no bitterness, or less so than normal Brussels.

This might encourage children to tolerate them. I can never understand why sprouts are both so popular and almost essential at Christmas time, when other Brassicas are far sweeter and tastier.

No doubt good for us, but Brussels never get the nutritional ‘write-ups’ accorded to say Broccoli and Kale.

Brussel plants should never be discarded once the sprouts have all been taken. Gardeners often make a few cuts across the head of the bare stem to encourage tender young cabbage-like shoots.

Hyacinths Still on the colour theme, a new and very dark Hyacinth ‘Midnight Mystique’ is now on the market.

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Described as ‘The Black Hyacinth’.

It isn’t quite black but a very very deep purple. Indoor Hyacinth growing, and forcing for Christmas, is very popular and also, just one of many ways to encourage children to grow plants. However, purely financially the cost of buying a bowl of 3 bulbs into flower is less than purchasing 3 prepared bulbs to grow oneself.

NEXT THORNTON W.I. MEETING

“It’s Magic!

Thursday, 11th November at 7.30 p.m. at Thornton Community Centre

After our enjoyable AGM in October, and much fortified

by Rosemary’s selection of home-made wines, our newly elected committee looks forward to planning an interesting programme of speakers and events for the year ahead.

Have you ever considered trying you hand at becoming a magician’s assistant? If you have, then here’s your chance to give it a try!

Our November meeting will be a lighthearted one as we marvel at the MAGIC TRICKS ably demonstrated by Joy Henderson.

Those who have already seen Joy mystify and delight an audience speak of her magical skills and also tell of her delightful humour.

So, if you’d like a break from the daily round and common task why not come along to immerse yourself, if only for a little while, in a world of magic? VISITORS ARE VERY WELCOME. (Visitor’s fee £2) MEMBERS’ COMPETITION – A Rabbit (But not a real one, thank you!)

We also plan a coach trip to visit Worcester’s Christmas Fayre on 3rd December. The Fayre is the leading themed street market in the West Midlands. Hundreds of stalls fill the atmospheric streets of Worcester’s historic heart with the colours, sounds and smells of Christmas. We can’t wait for this outing which is just nicely timed to allow us to indulge ourselves in all things Christmassy!

Muriel Walker

Richard Keeling at Bagworth Club On Friday 26 November at 8.00 pm at the Bagworth Working Men’s Club there will be a charity modern and sequence dance.

Richard Keeling will be at the keyboard. All of the profits will go to Wishes 4 kids. Tickets cost £2.50 and can be bought on the door. There will also be a raffle and bingo at this event. This is always a good night which is enjoyed by everyone.

Information: 01530 230467.

with

at the keyboard 8 pm Friday 26th November

Bingo and Raffle Tickets £2.50: from Anne, Josie, Ken, or on the door.

Contact 01530 230467

After a man is married, he has the legal right to deceive only one woman.

County Councillor David Sprason’s Column With the coalition government now setting out how they are going to reduce the debt the country finds itself in, this will undoubtedly impact on everybody.

I am not going to go down the blame game as many Westminster politicians have, but look at the simple facts. The fact is that the coalition government inherited debts larger than at any time in the history of this country, the impact was that in every one pound the government spent twenty five pence went on debt interest a truly unsustainable situation.

The road the coalition government have taken is to reduce the size of the state and increase some taxation. This equates to 25% coming from increases in taxation and 75% from reduced public spending. The planned reduction over the five years is 14% across the board the previous government was planning a 12% reduction so very little difference between the two, the split however would have seen a 40% increase in taxation and 60% reduction in public spending.

We have already seen the first stages of this with the long overdue strategic review of the Ministry of Defence and the reform of the benefits system the two departments with the largest overspend.

So the impact will mean that those who can afford to pay will contribute more to provide public services. Locally the County Council has been planning for reduced funding for the last two years with many measures already implemented in fact the County Council has

been delivering more for less for ten years. The County Council has also taken the decision not to increase council tax but instead increased its income by charging for services to those who can afford to pay and increasing efficiency. The announcement in the spending revue by the chancellor regarding the amount of grant we will receive is broadly in line with that already planned.

I am personally pleased to see that social care has been given extra money over the next four years this will help to address the growing demand for adult social care services. We will also see the transfer of public health funding to the County Council along with GP’s, we can now promote prevention which has been ignored for too long by health managers and commissioners.

I am delighted to report that work is due to start on the Bagworth Forward Trust Centre with work on phase one beginning in November. The funding has come from the Parish Council, the County Council and funds raised by the Bagworth Forward Centre Trust we are continuing to raise further funds so that we can complete phase two next year. I would like to thank all involved to date and their continued support in realising this much needed facility.

Snibston - the Champion of Champions!

Leicestershire County Council’s Snibston Discovery Museum beat off stiff competition at last week’s awards for Arts and Business in

Bagworth Forward Trust Centre

Birmingham and was declared Champion of Champions for its work to preserve the medieval Hemington Bridge timbers in partnership with British Sugar. The announcement came at the ceremony which was held on Thursday 7th October for the Jaguar Land Rover Awards for Arts and Business 2010 in association with the Birmingham Post.

Snibston and British Sugar won two awards – the award for the best business partnership in the museums, libraries and archives sector in the East and West Midlands and, the Jaguar Land Rover Champion of Champions award 2010 – for the most outstanding partnership of the year which is awarded to the best of the seven category winners.

Snibston was selected for the quality of its long term partnership with British Sugar to preserve the rare and nationally important timbers. The ancient timbers were found during successive rescue excavations at Hemington Quarry in North West Leicestershire between 1993 and 1998.

The crossing over the River Trent was part of a major national route, the King’s Highway, linking London and the south to Derby and the north.

This was revealed in a book by the University of Leicester’s Archaeological Service which was launched at Snibston in January this year.

Following their extraction and rescue, the timbers (weighing several tonnes) have undergone an innovative conservation process, where they were immersed in a sucrose solution to preserve them for over a decade. They have now been moved to a drying chamber for the final stages of the conservation process at Snibston Discovery Museum British Sugar facilitated the project by donating liquid sugar and has supported the preservation further by offering their scientific expertise along the way to measure and evaluate the effects of the solution on the timbers.

Arts & Business Chief Executive, Colin Tweedy said: “British Sugar’s project with Snibston Discovery Museum was impressive because of the depth of engagement by its employees. Scientists, engineers and environmentalists were using their technical know-how to come up with enormously creative and successful solutions. This is a truly fascinating piece of our heritage which is now preserved, and brought alive for the communities of Leicestershire.”

I am delighted to report that work is due to start on the Bagworth Forward Trust Centre with work on phase one beginning in November. The funding has come from the Parish Council, the County Council and funds raised by the Bagworth Forward Centre Trust we are continuing to raise further funds so that we can complete phase two next year. I would like to thank all involved to date and their continued support in realising this much needed facility.

Snibston - the Champion of Champions!

Leicestershire County Council’s Snibston Discovery Museum beat off stiff competition at last week’s awards for Arts and Business in Birmingham and was declared Champion of Champions for its work to preserve the medieval Hemington Bridge timbers inLife partnership with British Sugar. you The is something to do when announcement came at the ceremony which was held on Thursday 7th

can’t get to sleep

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To me, old age is always fifteen years older than I am.

Two vacancies We currently have two vacancies for paid part time work at the Centre as follows: 1. Part Time Weekday Duty Officer 2. Part Time Weekend Duty Officer If you are interested please contact Dawn Beesley the Centre Manager for details.

News from Markfield Community & Sports Centre Report from Ron Grantham, Chairman of Markfield Community Association

Drug/Alcohol Awareness Session Like many other rural villages, Markfield is suffering from the negative impact of drugs and alcohol.

Unfortunately the main issues are around the damage such misuse is having on young people.

A few years ago we held a session for parents and guardians aimed at trying to warn them of the perils of drug and alcohol misuse so that they could get help and support from. At that time the session was poorly attended as it seemed to be a common view being that drugs and alcohol was a problem in the towns and cities and not in nice leafy villages. But that is a big mistake and we cannot close our eyes to the fact that young people in our villages are now just as likely to be exposed to the risks of drugs and alcohol as anyone else in the country.

Not only do illegal drugs and alcohol have a damaging affect on young people but also their families, friends and our local communities. Often parents and guardians have no idea of what their offspring are involved in, what the current drug scene is, what damage is caused by drugs and alcohol or, once it is too late where to get help and support. With this in mind we are holding a special session for parents and guardians at the Centre from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 4th December. This will not be a lecture but an opportunity for you to get information about the current drugs and alcohol misuse scene and ask any questions you may have about the signs of drug/alcohol taking, the damage it causes to health and where to get help, support and advice.

Young people and even children from all backgrounds can easily spiral into drug and alcohol problems and this is an opportunity for you as a parent/guardian to understand what is going on and also to support you should this scenario unfortunately happen to you and your family.

Please don’t feel that by attending this session you will be “typecast” as a drug/alcohol problem family - you won’t. Staff from the Next Generation Project, local police and other support services

will be attending the session to answer any questions you may have. I can assure you it will be very interesting and useful for you.

It would be helpful if you book a place on the session by contacting the Centre. Please remember that this session is for YOU so please do not bring

your children along.

Charity Fashion Show & Sale During the evening of Wednesday 17th November a Charity Fashion Show and sale will be held at the Centre on

I’m at the age when my back goes out more than I do.

behalf of RAINBOWS Children’s Hospice commencing at 7.30pm.

Clothes from major high street brands such as M&S, Per Una, Monsoon, Next and White Stuff can be purchased at half price or even less.

The clothes available will be for the young, trendy, mature and elegant with sizes from 8 to 22. Credit card payment is accepted and there is a 28 day refund policy in place. Tickets for the show are £5 each and can be obtained from Beverley on 07831 101278 or email rainbowscharity@live. co.uk. Refreshments will be available at the bar.

The Moulding Family Re-Union Saturday 9th October saw the villages Moulding family “clan” gather for a family reunion at the Centre.

Members came from not only the village but from around the county and other “far flung corners” of the country. The get together was so successful that the family have agreed to make it an annual event.

Harvest Festival On Thursday 14th October the congregation of St.Michael’s Church held their annual Harvest Festival with a sumptuous feast of home made parsnip and pumpkin soup followed by a selection of cold meats, salad, pickles and jacket potatoes and a final helping of apple pie or mince meat tart.

The evening was concluded by a lively Beetle Drive. Many thanks to Brenda Featherstone of Little Markfield Farm and her family and other helpers who cooked and served this special harvest festival meal.

Centenary Celebration As part of the National Guiding Centenary Celebrations local guides, brownies and their leaders held a special event at the centre on Wednesday 20th October.

Apart from viewing a video that celebrated 100 years of Girl Guides in the country members were treated to hot dogs and a home made 100 year celebration cookie. More fun was had with leaders and members trying to unravel the mysteries of barn dancing. The most important part of the celebration was that members and leaders took part in a National reaffirmation of their promise to the Guide and Brownie movement. Guides, Brownies from Markfield, Thornton and Groby took part in this special event.

The event was also attended by some of the girl’s mums who shared this wonderful experience.

Special thanks go to Amanda Turner who organised the event, incidentally Amanda received a special award for her 5 years of service to Markfield Brownies.

If your children are interested in joining our local Scout, Guides or Brownies group or if you are interested in giving them your support in becoming a volunteer please contact the centre and we will put you in touch with the relevant person.

Something New Is your pet dog a bit of a scallywag or would you like to give you dog some obedience training.

Sessions are now being held at the centre on Monday mornings 10.30am to 11.30am and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Contact the Centre for further details.

Dates For Your Diary

17th November: Charity Fashion Show for Rainbows 19th January: National Blood Service

Free Bar Functions As mentioned in last month’s Herald as a way of rewarding our customers we are offering free bar function booking hire of the Centre from January to March 2011.

This means that you can have a family celebration without the cost of the normal room and bar hire costs. For terms and conditions please contact the Centre Manager.

Team Building Events

Do you run a company, group or organisation where you have often thought it would be a good idea to get your staff together for a team building day or exercise.

At the Centre we have both external and internal facilities where you could do this at a very competitive price. If you are interested please contact the Centre Manager.

Finally

Just a reminder that you can now view all the Centre’s activities, events and latest by visiting our web site at: www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST or ring 01530 242240.

(SEE ADVERT ON PAGE 13)

If you get to be one hundred, you’ve got it made - very few people die past that age.

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Volunteers praised!

Dedicated volunteers from across Leicestershire were personally thanked for all their hard work to the community at a special reception. Peter Osborne hosted the event in October at County Hall.

A wide range of volunteers were represented on the night covering a broad range of service to the community. All volunteers perform important roles and the work that they do varies from fundraising, counselling and advising, driving and delivering, through to caring for Leicestershire’s cultural and environmental wellbeing.

Karen Kidd from Markfield has been involved in the development of a new network called Force4Change that supports people with disabilities to gain independence and support each other. Karen, who is herself disabled, is very committed and spends much of her own time supporting others.

Karen said: “Volunteering for the Force4Change forums has really boosted my confidence and I now feel of value. I have been able to use this confidence to help other members to feel that way too!”

Leicestershire County Council has a range of volunteering opportunities available for people to get involved with. These are changed and added to regularly on our website: www.leics.gov.uk/volunteers

Calling All Keen Swimmers Coalville Swimming Club is looking to recruit young swimmers aged 7 – 8 years old to join the swimming club. We offer friendly and qualified coaching for all abilities and enter A & B teams in local swimming galas to bring out their true potential.

The Club trains on Mondays from 7-8pm at Hermitage Leisure Centre, Whitwick, Wednesdays from 7.30-8.30pm at Ibstock Community College, Thursdays from 7-8pm at King Edward VII School, Coalville and Fridays from 7-8pm at Hood Park Leisure Centre, Ashby de la Zouch.

Coalville Swimming Club welcomes swimmers of all ages to make new friends, have lots of fun and keep fit – all at the same time!

For more information please contact Alison Cooper, Membership Secretary on 07729 723866 or email to alison@thecoopershome.co.uk.

Extracts From the Latest Draft Bagworth and Thornton Parish Council Minutes The following topics are among the items discussed at the meeting of Bagworth & Thornton Parish Council on 4 October 2010 at Thornton Community Centre.

Question from a member of the public A question was raised by a member of the public regarding the Sure Start Centre, and what is going to happen to the rest of the field. If revenue is raised from the renting of car park space can this be used to purchase new play equipment? The clerk advised that the future of the Play Builder funds for Bagworth is still not clear.

Update on outstanding items • Bowls Club – Utilities – no bills have been paid for by the Bowls club, the clerk was asked to negotiate with the bowls club for part payment of utilities. Proposed Councillor Harris, Seconded Councillor Ball and carried.

• Litter Bin – Councillor agreed to fit the bin, agreed to ask the school to empty the bin.

• Pre school - Councillor Harris asked if the Parish Council was now operating legally with regard to the pre school, the clerk advised that the Pre School were still waiting for Ofsted to re-approve the pre school.

• Dunlop site - Not all residents had received a leaflet regarding the meeting.

• Christmas Trees - Members approved the purchase of Christmas trees for this year.

• Remembrance Sunday Members agreed a donation of £60 to the poppy appeal.

Land at Thornton School Councillors discussed the request for use of the piece of land at the side of the school, which

belongs to the PC to be utilised by the school for an extra classroom.

Councillor Ball agreed to investigate what the school is proposing.

Old Colliery Association Councillor walker advised he had arranged a meeting with interested parents to discuss the way forward.

So far there has been no reply from the sports association.

Two options were discussed: 1. The PC takes control and allows the club to use on their terms.

2. A trust is set up to manage the facilities.

Councillor Ball will investigate the position and report back at a later date.

Number of PC meetings held each year – Councillor Brettle.

As the parish is so busy, it was considered not appropriate to have a recess in the summer. The council resolved to hold 12 meetings per year from 2011.

Neighbourhood Watch Signs – Anita Beeby.

Neighbourhood Watch coordinator advised new signage is required for the parish, and that monies are available in the budget for this purpose.

Bagworth New Woods – Purchase Purchase of the wood at a cost of £1000 agreed in principal, subject to the terms and conditions being investigated by the clerk and Councillor Brettle.

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        



    

Most people who are as attractive, witty and intelligent as I am are usually conceited.

11

A Bore: someone who talks when you want him to listen.

12 Markfield Interfaith Group

City Visit to St Philips Church

On the 15th of September we commenced our faith tour of Leicester by visiting St Philips Church and Centre.

Our Group were welcomed by the Rev. Alan Race who gave a talk on the history of the Church and the particular part the Centre plays in developing dialogue and other activities in this multicultural, multiracial area. St Philips plays a very important role in bringing people of all faiths together. We were also shown an exhibition of Christian art painted by famous Indian artists depicting the life of Christ.

Keep villages alive Build affordable homes The provision of affordable homes for local people in their villages to continue in hard times We are all well aware that the Coalition is cutting public spending and that the Affordable Housing spend has been greatly reduced.

However, there will be some money available for affordable rural homes and if you are first in the queue this can only help.

Innovative ways of delivering affordable homes will soon be released by the Homes and Communities Agency and these could include Local Housing Trusts, landowner incentives or other new mechanisms The message: Despite straitened times the Rural Housing Enabler will continue to “Build” on previous successes using all possible “Avenues.”

The Sikh Temple From there we arrived at the Sikh Temple where we were given a brief history of Sikhism which was founded in the 16th Century and has been defined as someone who believes in one Immortal Being (God), The Holy Book, the collection of Sikh scriptures, the eternal source of guidance.

One of the most significant things that happens here is the Langer where vegetarian food is served, free of charge, to everyone, who sit together as equals and are not necessarily Sikh.

Back to Markfield We then returned to our local Islamic Foundation where we had an excellent lunch which was followed by two short talks and a general discussion. Of particular interest was Mr Mohamed Rafeek who quoted from the Qur’an about how worship has been prescribed in all religions by God, that it matters not only to visit the Mosque but also to live a life in the service of others, setting an example by the way you live your own life!

Next Get Together The next formal meeting of our Markfield Interfaith Group will take place on Friday the 19th of November commencing at 6.30pm at our local Mercenfield Primary School in Oakfield Avenue.

Mr Tom Bree will give an introduction to Islamic Geometry and Art and those attending will also be privileged to be addressed by our Guest Speaker, The Archdeacon of Leicester.

Appropriate refreshment will be provided to attendees and anyone and everyone aged 14 years or over, of any faith, who wish to broaden their understanding and knowledge and/or just enjoy a pleasant social evening are more than welcome to attend.

PLEASE COME ALONG. Thank You.

Sheila Lammiman (Chairwoman)

GEOMETRY AND ISLAMIC PATTERNS: UNITY IN FAITHS MARKFIELD INTERFAITH GROUP

Introduction to ISLAMIC GEOMETRY AND ART

by TOM BREE Guest Speaker: Archdeacon of Leicester Location: Mercenfield Primary School, Oakfield Avenue, Markfield, Leicestershire. LE67 9WG Date: Friday 19th of November 2010 • Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Tel: 01530 249301 or email: jasmine.ansari@islamic-foundation.org.uk Refreshments will be available. (14+ are welcome)

Saltmine Theatre Markfield Company at Kirby Open Gardens 18th & 19th June, 2011 Muxloe The brilliant young actors of Saltmine Theatre Company invite you to make a date with the Three Musketeers. So, write it in your diary now: Thursday 16th December 2010 at Kirby Muxloe Free Church.

Schools matinee at 10am, all age performance at 7pm; Children under 12 pay £3, everyone else pays £5.

Tickets for the evening show can be booked NOW. EITHER: send your money (cheques made payable to Kirby Muxloe Free Church) with a stamped self addressed envelope to KMFC, Main Street, Kirby Muxloe, LEICESTER, LE9 2AN; OR: you can pay by credit card and obtain your tickets directly from Saltmine. The number for the credit card hotline is 01384 454808.

Tickets will be sent to you as soon as they become available.

This venture will be a first for Markfield, and it is hoped that it will attract the village community and beyond.

So far it has been agreed that admission to gardens will be by programme, and lunches & cream teas will be available at the Methodist Church & Scout Hut respectively. Gardens do not have to be “manicured” and immaculate – the greater the variety, the greater the interest. Should you decide to open your garden you might take the opportunity to do some fundraising for your chosen charity.

Are you interested? Would you like to know more? If so, come along to an open meeting on Tuesday, 23rd November at 7.30 p.m. in the Methodist church.

Or contact Fran Johnson on 243500 or Linda Walmsley on 242607

Parish Calendar Reminder Don’t forget to send in your photographs of picturesque corners of Thornton, Bagworth and Stanton under Bardon for the Parish Calendar of 2012.

Remember they should be 7” x 5” colour photos if at all possible. We do need you to keep the photo(s) safely stored electronically till October 2011. If there is a problem with this please do let us know.

Write your name, address and telephone number very clearly on the back of the photo, and the month the photo depicts. Leave the photos at Sue and Lloyd’s shop or post to 34, Highfields, Thornton with the envelope marked “Parish Calendar 2012”. Thank you,

Jo Leadbetter

I don’t go to my psychiatrist any more - he was meddling too much in my private life.

Visit the Social & Sporting Centre of the Village!

Markfield Community & Sports Centre

Mayflower Close, Markfield (Off Oakfield Avenue), LE67 9ST

Tel: 01530 242240

For all bookings and enquiries (24-hour answering machine)

www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

Regular Clubs & Classes For All Ages

Markfield Community and Sport’s Centre – Regular Clubs and Classes 2010 Monday: Keep Fit Art Club Dog Training Session Yoga Friendship Club Kick Boxing Aerobics Slimming World Feathers Badminton Club Tuesday: Parents and Toddlers Pilates Legs, Bums and Tums Keep Fit Football Tots Royal Academy – Baby Ballet Royal Academy – Primary Ballet Royal Academy – Junior Ballet Royal Academy – Private Tuition Tae Kwon Do Circuit Training and Toning Karate Mixed Sports Club Yoga Wednesday: I.T. Class via Groby College Village Walk Open Afternoon Brownies Zumba

Time: 10.00 – 11.00 10.00 – 12.00 10.30 – 11.30 13.45 – 15.15 14.30 – 16.30 18.00 – 20.30 19.00 – 20.00 19.00 – 20.30 20.00 – 21.30

Booking: N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

09.30 – 11.30 12.15 – 13.15 13.15 – 14.15 14.00 – 15.00 14.15 – 15.00 15.00 – 15.45 15.45 – 16.30 16.30 – 17.15 17.15 – 18.00 18.00 – 19.00 18.00 – 19.00 18.00 – 20.30 19.00 – 20.30 19.30 – 21.00

N/A 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07902 800451 N/A 07702 809288 N/A N/A

09.30 – 11.30 14.00 – 14.30 14.00 – 16.00 17.00 – 19.00 18.00 – 19.00

01162 874725 N/A N/A Waiting List Via Centre

SPECIAL OFFER!

As a way of rewarding our customers we are offering free bar function booking hire of the Centre from January to March 2011.

This means that you can have a family celebration without the cost of the normal room and bar hire costs.

For terms and conditions please contact the Centre Manager.

Hire The Centre for Your Event!

The Two Large Halls, Small Hall, Lounge, Changing Rooms and Multi-Use Games Area are available for private hire, functions, children’s parties, at all times other than those shown above.

Telephone 01530 242240 for hiring rates or visit www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

Wednesday: Junior Youth Club Dog Training Session Thursday: Parents and Toddlers Surestart Line Dancing Over 50’s Health Boost Line Dancing Mini Tappers Primary Tap Junior Tap Zumba Atomic Senior Tap Junior Tae Kwon Do Kararate / Self Defence Tae Kwon Do Zumba Circuit Training Zumba Friday; Baby Bops Toddly Bops Dancing Tots Funky Kidz Boys Street Dance Funky Teens Senior Youth Club Royal Academy – Senior Ballet Bingo (Over 18’s Only) Weekends available for

Time: 18.30 – 20.30 19.30 – 20.30

Booking: N/A N/A

09.00 – 11.30 09.30 – 12.00 12.30 – 13.45 13.00 – 14.30 14.00 – 15.15 14.30 – 15.15 15.15 – 16.00 16.00 – 16.45 16.00 – 16.45 16.45 – 17.45 17.00 – 18.00 17.30 – 20.45 18.00 – 19.00 18.00 – 19.00 19.00 – 20.00 19.15 – 20.15

N/A N/A N/A 07500 554736 N/A 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 Via Centre 07500 554736 07902 800451 07702 809288 07902 800451 Via Centre N/A Via Centre

10.15 – 11.00 11.15 – 12.00 15.45 – 16.30 16.30 – 17.15 17.15 – 18.00 18.00 – 19.00 18.00 – 21.00 19.00 – 20.00 19.15 – 21.00 private hire!

07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 07500 554736 Via Centre 07500 554736 N/A 01530 242240

Excellent Facilities The Centre offers a wide range of facilities to suit every occasion: • Two fully licensed bars.

• Extensions to Licensing Hours can be applied for on request.

• Kitchen.

• Serving hatches to two halls.

• Two toilets for the disabled.

• A ramp for access to the building.

• Two large sports halls.

• Indoor line markings for badminton, basketball and five-a-side football.

• One additional smaller hall.

• Football pitch.

• Changing rooms and showers.

• Multi Use Games Area with floodlights.

• Outdoor basketball court.

• Outdoor skatepark.

• Childrens play area on site.

• Access to on-line services from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

• Free car parking.

• Night time outside lighting.

• 24 hour C.C.T.V. coverage.

Your Centre’s Getting Better and Better!

He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot, but don’t let that fool you. He really is an idiot.?

14

Could you be the next Mike Smash?

A chance to get on air

The Friends of St Peter’s Church

Craft Fayre and Christmas Bazaar Saturday 13th November • 10.30 am to 3.30 pm at Thornton Community Centre Special guest Father Christmas will visit us with a sack full of goodies. Visit him in his Grotto.

Beautiful and unusual items for sale on the craft stalls: wood turned items, fabric crafts, jewellery, pictures, plants, cards, and many more ideas for those unusual Christmas gifts.

Other stalls include home-made cakes, jams and pickles, Bric a Brac, Christmas items, games, a raffle, tombola.

Lunches, and light refreshments available all day.

Entrance 50p, children under 14 free if accompanied by an adult.

Offers of help, cakes, raffle and tombola prizes very welcome.

Contact Dianne Esmond 230123, Iris Gleeson 230453 or Shirley Garlick 230 422

St Mary’s Church Stanton-u-Bardon People in North West Leicestershire can learn about being a radio presenter – thanks to a £10,000 Community Forum Grant.

The grant has enabled Hermitage FM to increase its studio space and train up to 300 volunteers to improve their job prospects and develop their interest in broadcasting.

Jon Sketchley, Hermitage FM, Station Manager, said: Hermitage FM is the new community radio station serving North West Leicestershire.

Our transmissions have served the community for almost a year and this has resulted in a high level of interest in training to be a presenter. Our new studio located in Hotel Street provides the perfect opportunity for up and coming presenters to learn on-air skills.

Training courses are being held on Monday and Wednesday evenings with groups of four to five trainees. This opportunity is available to all age groups and can result in being part of the on-air team broadcasting on 99.2 FM to North West Leicestershire.

Without the help of the Community Forum it would not have been possible to have this facility.”

As well as the training facility, Hermitage can now also provide a comfortable meeting space, with refreshments, for individuals and local groups. Hermitage FM pitched the idea for the training facility to local residents at the Coalville Community Forum as a part of the Participatory Budgeting process.

The residents liked the idea enough to give it the largest allocation of the money available.

Danny Massingham, trainee, said: The training facility at Hotel Street is excellent and has given me the opportunity to work in an area which was previously unavailable. I hope to be a volunteer and work with the on-air team at Hermitage FM presenting my own programme.”

For more information, telephone Hermitage FM on 01530 460992.

Year 9 At South Charnwood?

Is anyone from Markfield going on to Bosworth College next year? If so can we share lifts and expenses?

Tel Sarah 01530 242770

Saturday 27th November 2010 • 2 - 4 p.m Christmas Fayre, all stalls, craft, home baking & preserves, tombola, raffle, tea and coffee available.

Visit SANTA in his GROTTO. Friday 17th December 2010 • Christmas concert 7.30 p.m tickets £4.00 available on the door, to include refreshments, Stanton under Bardon Singers and Friends.

Musical Director Peter Massey.

Monday 20th December 2010 • Carols Round the Village, at 7.00 p.m. Fund raising event for Air Ambulance and First. Come and join us or listen out.

Gail Massey

Markfield Homemakers

Programme of Events The Markfield Homemakers Ladies Group meets at Markfield Congregational Church on the second Wednesday of each month, start time 8pm.

Here is our list of events planned for the rest of the year:

• Nov 10th ~ Penny Hodgson ~ Ageing in Beijing • Dec 8th ~ Christmas Party

Brenda Featherstone Tel: 01530 242173

Stamp Fair for LOROS This next Stamp Fair organised by Roger & Graham to be held on Sunday 21st November between 10am-3pm at Newbold Verdon Primary School will be their last one.

Free entry, raffle and light refreshments available. Please continue to donate stamps in the usual way as LOROS can still benefit from your donations. Thanks are sent to all supporters.

Bags of Class & Jewellery Box Sale: 9th November A Home Start fundraising handbag and jewellery box sale will take place on Tuesday 9th November 2010 between 4pm and 9pm.

The event will be held at the offices of Home-Start North West Leicestershire at 54 London Road, Coalville. Entrance is £3.00 per person and includes a drink & nibbles.

HAMLIN’S PLUMBING SERVICES All Types of Plumbing Work Undertaken No job too small Call Mick on 01530 245155 or 07813 065538 Qualified Local Plumber with Years of Experience

A lot of people never use their initiative because nobody ever tells them to.

The Priest House Hotel on the River

15

Celebrate christmas in style Join us at The Priest House and enjoy fantastic food and wines, party novelties and great music in relaxed surroundings with a unique festive atmosphere.

Party Nights - available throughout December Celebrate this Christmas with arrival drinks, three-course dinner, coffee, mince pies, crackers and a disco.

From £25 per person.

Christmas Day Lunch Join us for a traditional Christmas Day lunch in elegant surroundings, whether as a couple or with the whole family.

Enjoy Champagne and canapés followed by a five-course lunch. £65 per person.

Christmas Eve lunch and Boxing Day lunch also available.

Please call for more information or to request a brochure.

0845 072 7502 handpickedhotels.co.uk The Priest House Hotel Kings Mills, Castle Donington Derby DE74 2RR

HOTELS B U I L T

F O R

P L E A S U R E

You are warmly invited to join us for ‘Christmas Afternoon

Tea’ On Thursday Dec 2nd at 2pm.

Without Walls Christian Fellowship, Main St. Stanton under Bardon 01530-249113

A small entrance fee of £2 pp will be charged to cover costs

I have my faults, but being wrong isn’t one of them.

16 It isn’t just a council house that people have to wait a long time for. The demand for an allotment plot has outstripped supply for some time now and unless we can create additional capacity the wait will go on.

Who would have thought it? Some years ago, councils including Hinckley and Bosworth and many Parishes - could not give allotments away, and derelict plots were a real problem. The idea of growing your own vegetables and becoming more self sufficient had its followers but even the TV series the ‘Good Life’ had failed to halt a growing trend away from allotments. It is interesting to note that in 1918 some 1.5 million allotment plots existed and these plots went a long way to supplying much of the fresh vegetables and fruit eaten by the working classes.

The high point for allotment plots appears to have been at the end of both the First and Second World Wars which was of course linked to food rationing. Since that point a gradual decline has been in play.

In fact today it is calculated that only 330,000 people now hold an allotment plot in the UK, but with another 100,000 on some form of waiting list.

This is a picture reminiscent of

Allotments are very popular again Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald Markfield, when not so long ago, many more allotment plots existed than is the case today. Indeed when the plots at Hill Hole where consolidated, a number of vacant plots which had been dormant for years were removed.

In Stanton the position is thankfully in better health and the village has many more allotments per head of population than many adjacent communities, and these plots have been active plots occupied by gardeners.

I grew up with allotments. I remember my dad having one and various other members of my extended family all appeared to grow produce themselves.

Indeed I even occasionally tried to help, with mixed results. The key thing was sitting down to eat and knowing it was home grown produce; this we took for granted as it was the norm. It would be my dad’s potatoes, my uncle’s brussels or my auntie’s beans, whatever was in season and in surplus. Either

way we would be sharing food and enjoying it.

As I moved on in life I always retained an interest but for a long time it was only that. It was not until I was progressing the Hill Hole project that an opportunity arose to help rekindle this interest and turn it into something more practical.

The consolidation of the allotment site at Hill Hole led to a renewed interest in the community which has been more than sustained to the present day. It also encouraged my dad to take a half plot on, having not had an allotment for some years. The deal was that I would share it with him (in my mind that meant the produce although I did help in the initial digging) but it was soon apparent that the site was just right for one person and I left it to the expert. I now have a little plot at home and I am slowly learning the trade of growing a few vegetables.

The history of allotments is interesting and some formal

allotment plots have existed for over two hundred years but we can trace the origins of allotment plots back to Saxon England. Close

The trouble with referees is that they just don’t care which side wins.

17

by in Nottingham, the St Ann’s site is thought to be the oldest site in England and one of the largest.

The demand for somewhere to grow vegetables increased significantly with the various Land Enclosure Acts which reduced the availability of land for personal cultivation by the working poor and add to this the growth of urbanisation as a result of the industrial revolution. Various laws were passed to support the development of Allotments, but the big breakthrough came with the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1907 which imposed responsibilities on councils to provide allotments.

The First and Second World Wars caused food shortages and saw demand for allotments maintained at high levels and the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign encouraged

people to grow their own vegetables wherever and whenever they could.

The majority of allotment sites are owned by local councils and it is surprising that allotments which have been classified as Statutory as opposed to Temporary have additional protections placed on them. This means that if a council decides it wishes to dispose of an allotment site, it must first receive the approval of the Secretary of State, who will require that adequate alternative provision has been made to compensate for the loss. This provision has not however stopped the decline in available sites which has been seen since the end of the Second World War. The twin combinations of a drop in demand and rising land prices has allowed councils to sell off allotment sites and not replace them leading to the loss of many thousands of plots.

On a positive note, the lack of demand for sites has clearly ended and a recent upswing in those requesting a plot is making local Councils think again about allotment provision. The upswing can probably be linked to a number of factors. The environment debate has been a key issue and concerns about modern farming methods and transportation of produce linked to the long term sustainability

of modern living have all played their part in making people think again about the benefits of home grown produce.

I also think the recent deluge of cookery programmes has made people want to source and eat good food. We have seen not just an interest in taking on allotments again but also a growth in cooperative schemes with like minded people coming together to buy land and equipment to produce goods.

Just recently I was drinking some lovely apple juice that had been made from free falling apples using a press that was purchased communally by a group of individuals working together. This allowed them to have a relatively sophisticated press sharing the cost but reaping the rewards. It is an encouraging development and I hope we see more like this.

The key priority is now to increase the supply of allotment plots again and to meet the demand that exists in the community to grow one’s own food. I have discussed some options with officers at the Borough Council and I hope they will support us in meeting this demand.

After all the demand to grow and produce one’s own food goes back into the mists of time and is as important today as it was centuries ago.

Procrastination has its good side. You always have something to do tomorrow.

18

They came to light for one brief afternoon in late September 2010 after having been hidden under the Nave carpet at St Peters for some thirty five years. I refer, of course, to the marble grave slabs that I, as a boy, knew as the Three Sisters.

No-one explained to me then the significance of the ‘three’ for there are four slabs. And what kind of ‘sisters’ are they – of the same family or of some religious order? I suppose it could best be described at the time as speculative folk lore.

The stones are certainly unique to St Peters and maybe of some historical importance. Consider the evidence:- they are much larger and older than any other tombstones in the church; they are not of local stone or slate as others are; they have on them traces of decoration. (The decoration is part on a lady’s dress. She is attended by small male and female fiqures of indeterminate nature and dress – could they be angels, monks and nuns, or children?) All this points to the fact that the stones belong to notable people of their day.

We have, of course, taken photographic evidence for our own church records, before the new carpet was laid, of this hidden treasury.

Perhaps, one day, new evidence will come to light to help us identify the people whose bodies were once interred here in this remote part of Leicestershire.

Turning to more up-to-date matters may I encourage you to make a note of St Peter’s Annual Craft & Christmas Fair which is scheduled for Saturday November 13th in Thornton Community Centre from 10 till 4pm.

All the usual stalls and attractions will be there and, of course, Santa Claus will be in attendance to take your orders for Christmas.

BookSPOT What You See Is What You Get: My Autobiography

By Alan Sugar Alan Sugar was born in 1947 and brought up on a council estate in Clapton, in Hackney.

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It had a huge impact on him, fuelling a drive to succeed that was to earn him a sizeable personal fortune. Now he describes his amazing journey, from schoolboy enterprises like making and selling his own ginger beer to setting up his own company at nineteen; from Amstrad’s groundbreaking ventures in hi-fi and computers, which made him the darling of the stock exchange, to the dark days when he nearly lost it all; from his pioneering deal with Rupert Murdoch to his boardroom battles at Tottenham Hotspur FC. He takes us into the world of The Apprentice, and describes his appointment as advisor to the government and elevation to the peerage. Like the man himself, this autobiography is forthright, funny and sometimes controversial. AMAZON PRICE: £9.35 (Hardcover)

If you don’t pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.

19 Good Advice from Citizen’s Advice

Money is really tight this year and I’m worried about Christmas coming up.

Help!

Christmas is a time of giving, but you don’t want to give yourself a headache in the New Year with bills and debts you can’t afford. It’s all too easy to overspend – there are tempting offers and pressures to buy, but the key thing is to decide how much you can afford before you start spending.

Follow our top tips for avoiding a Christmas debt hangover:

Plan early for Christmas Be realistic and budget accordingly. Work out how much you are going to spend on each person – and stick to it. Manage expectations as to what you or Santa can give.

Don’t forget the everyday bills Remember that rent, the mortgage, utility bills, food bills and other existing debts still have to be paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not. Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right.

Don’t bank on an overdraft If you do need more money, don’t just run up an overdraft without talking to your bank first – it will work out much more expensive.

Keep things simple If you can afford to pay for your goods outright by cash, cheque, or debit card, don’t be persuaded to take out extended credit agreements unless they really do work out cheaper.

Shop around Try as many different places as possible to find the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need. Be wary of extended warranties: the cost of a repair can be less than the cost of the warranty.

Read the small print Check for hidden extras in any credit agreement. Work out the total amount payable. Ensure that the monthly instalments are within your budget before signing. Interest free credit can seem attractive, but if you don’t pay on time, or miss a payment, you could have to pay a lot more.

Be organised There’s a lot to remember at Christmas. If you’ve borrowed money don’t forget that it won’t be long before you have to make a payment. Make sure you pay on time, even if it’s only the minimum, or you will be faced with additional charges.

Once Christmas is over start planning and saving for next Christmas. If you do get into difficulties, get advice as soon as you can from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk

Art Exhibition & Sale at Groby Village Hall A local artist is holding a Christmas Exhibition and Sale at Groby village Hall on Saturday, 27 November from 10am to 4pm.

Mark Wilde has been painting and teaching in the area for more than 15 years and is exhibiting work from his collection.

Hundreds of paintings and drawings will be on offer, including watercolours, acrylics, pen and wash and pastels. Admission is free.

For more info ring Mark at 01509 673064.

When she got married, she got a new name and a dress.

20

Join the Big Conversation on the Big Society at Bosworth Community Forum A number of interactive meetings are giving residents the chance to keep up to speed with local issues and get involved in shaping where they live.

Next month, we will be holding the Bosworth Community Forum where all residents will have the opportunity to hear from local councils, health and police, get answers to queries and influence local decision-making.

Details of the meetings are: Thursday 18 November 2010, 7-9pm at Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre, Ambion Lane Sutton Cheney, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV13 0AD. Items for discussion include: recycling, proposals for the use and development of land in your area (Local Development Framework) and there will also be a special workshop on the Big Society.

Over 5,000 people have taken part in the 27 forums across Leicestershire since they started in January 2008 - topics covered include services for older people, anti-social behaviour, eco-town proposals, grants, development plans, lorry routes, tackling crime, transport, housing, jobs, loan sharks, roads, community hospitals plus much more.

David Parsons, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “We believe in providing great public services and value for money, but we are always keen to improve these further. “We want to talk to the people who actually use these services to find out what they really think. Please come along to these meetings, they are your chance to talk to senior officers and politicians and to give them real views on your area.

Kevin Morrell, Chair of Bosworth Community Forum, said: “I am very enthusiastic about the Bosworth Community Forum, it is a great way for local people and parishes to get involved and make a real difference in their communities.”

For information about what is on the agenda at your local forum, please visit www. leicestershireforums.org/boswth/ or call 0116 305 7565.

• A community forum is a meeting place for residents, local businesses, voluntary and community groups, councillors and service providers.

There are 27 forums across

Know your song lyrics?

Try this quiz.

See if you can identify seven well-known songs from these extracts from their lyrics. The answers are on page 29.

1. My heart is numb, has no feeling. So while I’m still healing.

2. I used to roll the dice. Feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes.

Leicestershire which bring together elected representatives across all tiers of local government - County, District and Borough and Parish, together with a range of other community representatives.

Community forums involve Leicestershire County Council, District and Borough Councils, NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland, Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Together partners.

Although they do not have formal decision-making powers, forums are important bodies of influence - there is a ‘duty to respond’ to actions recommended.

3. Well, sometimes I go out by myself, and I look across the water.

4. I don’t know what to do and I’m always in the dark.

We’re living in a powder keg and giving off sparks.

5. When you lose the one you wanted, ‘cause he’s taken you for granted.

6. I said to myself this affair never will go so well.

7. It’s close to midnight, and something evil’s lurking in the dark.

The man who fell into an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.

21

Grazing land to let in Markfield MATHER JAMIE Chartered Surveyors are offering a parcel of grazing land with a stable block TO LET at Ashby Road, Markfield LE67 9UD.

Christmas Fayre Saturday 27th November Bagworth Community Centre

11am – 2pm

Visit Santa Claus and have

The land, which extends to 3.59 acres or thereabouts, comprises a single block of grazing land together with a timber framed stable block.There is external security lighting and an intruder alarm serving the stable block.

The stable block includes three loose boxes, kitchen area with sink and electric fencing control unit, and store/tack room. Electricity is connected to the stable block. The land does benefit from mains water supply and is connected to the stable block.

There is sufficient hard standing area to accommodate a horse box and motor vehicle away from the highway.

The land and stables will be LET on a grazing/mowing licence for a period of 12 or 24 months. The length of term is negotiable and may be discussed with the sole agent prior to any offer being submitted.

For more information, contact Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: gary.kirk@matherjamie.co.uk

your photo taken with him.

Light Lunches and refreshments served Tombola, cakes, raffle and lots more…

Craft Tables available £10 ~ for more information contact Robert Holmes 01530 231901

Advert Rates

Ring 01530 244069 to book your advert

Advert Size

Dimensions

Colour

Mono

Sixteenth Page

45mm wide x 65mm high

£20.00

£13.50

Eighth Page

95mm wide x 65mm high

£40.00

£27.00

Quarter Page

95mm wide x 132mm high

£65.00

£45.00

Half Page

194mm wide x 132mm high £120.00 £80.00

Full Page (A4)

194mm wide x 268mm high £190.00 £140.00

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

22

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

Shoebox Appeal Full details of this were printed in the Early-October Issue of The Herald. We have now contacted our drop-off point, The Hall School in Glenfield, and have arranged to take all the boxes to the school on Monday 15th November.

Thank you to everyone who has brought boxes so far – please bring any remaining boxes to our Sunday morning services at Cross Hills on either 7th or 14th November or to Glynis Straw at 110 Main Street, Thornton between 9th and 14th November. For any queries, please ring 01530 230272.

Christmas Fayre Saturday 27th November Come and join us at Bagworth Community Centre between 11am and 2pm for our annual Christmas Fayre. A visit by Santa Claus, games for the children, refreshments, tombola, cakes, raffle, Christmas gifts and cards, nearly new books, CD’s, DVD’s, etc, pound in the bucket and lots more. See local posters in the villages for full information.

Emmaus: The Way of Faith

The Emmaus Growth course is continuing on a Saturday morning at Cross Hills from 10am until noon (meet for coffee first at 9.45am). This course offers Christians an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Christian living and discipleship and it also welcomes people into the Christian faith and the life of the church. There are meetings on November 6th and

20th, with the final one for 2010 being on December 4th.

Everyone is welcome whether they have been before or not – we look forward to seeing you.

Christmas Lunch at Bosworth Hall Hotel Twenty one church members and friends are looking forward to a Festive Christmas Lunch which has been arranged for Wednesday 8th December. We meet at Bosworth Hall at 12.30pm, to be seated for the meal at 1pm.

Details of our Services are in the Church Service Information section in this magazine. We serve tea and coffee after our services and offer friendship to anyone visiting for the first time.

Glynis Straw

Treasurer - on behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

Contact Numbers

Pastor -Garry Kelly: 01455 457802 • Secretary - Robert Holmes: 01530 231901 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 • Parish Nurse - Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Major drop in music lending at libraries Lending of music CDs at UK libraries has plummeted by 42 per cent in the last five years, according to the latest survey from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

CIPFA’s annual survey of public libraries across the UK shows that library music issues has dropped from 8.4m in 2005-06 to 4.9m in 2009-10 - a drop of 42 per cent.

Book issues over the same period went down by just 4.2 per cent.

The survey also reveals a league table of the country’s most-visited libraries, topped by the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium library.

The Norwich-based library had 1,497,760 visitors in 2009–10, issuing 1,154,563 books and other items over twelve months. The next most visited library, Birmingham Central Library, attracted 1,452,150 visitors over the same period.

Chris Greene, CIPFA’s Head of Research and Statistics said: “The UK’s libraries are as relevant to their communities as ever. But whilst many facilities continue to attract high visitor numbers, far fewer library users are borrowing music CDs compared to five years ago. With more people than ever downloading music from the internet, the way many people access music has changed

fundamentally”.

I’ve been trying for some time to develop a life style that doesn’t require my presence.

23

NEWS Snippets from South Charnwood High School Baden Powell Award Katharine Eadie 9VJ has completed the highest award in guiding. She will now go to County Hall in November, to meet the Mayor and the County Commissioner for the presentation.

To achieve the award she had 8 challenges to complete, which included doing a collage about herself; a party plan for a friend; an emergency rescue badge; an agility course against the clock and a dance demonstration. She also had to invent a fund raising idea, resulting in the making of 6 packages to raise money for the Pakistan flood and take part in an adventure weekend.

Less than 100 people in Leicestershire achieve this award so very well done to Katharine.

After School Clubs In addition to the Wednesday after school clubs we are pleased to be able to offer two additional Tuesday evening after school enrichment clubs to pupils later this autumn term.

Two buses will run to return pupils home: one bus will run to Leicester Forest East and one to the surrounding villages around the school. The buses will leave school at approximately 4.20pm.

The activities on offer which will run on a Tuesday evening from 3.20pm – 4.20pm are as follows: • Boxercise • Street Dance These activities will commence on Tuesday 8th November 2010 from 3.20pm until 4.20pm for 5 weeks.

After a survey across the school the activities on offer were the most popular options from all pupils who said they would like to attend.

Well done to ...

• Congratulations to Lucy Kinsley, Mollie Parr and Leah Williams who were successful in auditioning for Cinderella, this year’s pantomime at Loughborough Town Hall.

• Alex Kent attended trials for the England under 13 cricket squad at Loughborough University.

• Esther Stock has been playing representative cricket for Leicestershire this summer. In all, Esther played 20 matches for Leicestershire during the season, at U13, U15 and U17 age groups.

The ECB Women’s U13 County Championship consists of more than 30 counties arranged into a number of regional divisions.

Leicestershire played in the East Midlands division, consisting of 5 counties. Esther captained the U13 team and headed both the batting and bowling tables for Leicestershire - averaging 34 with the bat (top score 59) and taking 19 wickets at an average of less than 8 runs per wicket with a best performance of 5 wickets for 17 runs. Esther’s 19 wickets made her the equal top wicket taker nationally - across all the U13 divisions. A remarkable achievement, well done.

• Congratulations to Oliver Walsom Pridmore, Dhiraj Lehru, Neil Hodson and Sam Burbage who, after winning all the games in their group at the Schools Sports Partnership Table Tennis Tournament, finished overall runners up to Market Bosworth.

Well done to all four lads who displayed some outstanding table tennis.

• Luke Williams recently represented England at the Karate European Championships in Venice. He won a bronze medal in WIKF and a gold (team) medal. A fabulous achievement.

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

Home-Made Pie Night Tuesday - £6.95 includes a Glass of Wine

Pasta & Rice Night Wednesdays - £7.95 Includes a Glass of Wine

Newly Refurbished Delicious Christmas Menu

Traditional Sunday Lunch

2 Courses - £9 or 3 Courses - £11 With personal service to your table

Lunches & Snacks: Tues-Sun Eves (Tues-Sat): ‘A La Carte’ or Snacks • Weekend Specials A Welcoming Homely Atmosphere & Great Food!

IDC Home Maintenance Painter Decorator and Property Maintenance NO JOB TOO SMALL From changing a light bulb to complete house re-decoration.

For all the jobs you need to do but simply don’t have time.

For a free quotation please call Ian on:

01530 245461

or

07885 541428

3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire

Web site: www.idchomemaintenance.co.uk Listed @ http://www.ageconcernbusinessdirectory.co.uk

Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held

If at first you don’t succeed, try management.

24

Extracts from Markfield Parish The following items were among the topics discussed at the Markfield Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 5th October 2010: September Crime Figures 1 x Burglary Other Than Dwelling at 49 Oakfield Avenue (Bike stolen) 2 x Thefts from Motor Vehicle at Beacon Close, Ashby Road (Number plates stolen) Shaw Lane (Bag stolen) A drugs Warrant was conducted on Oakfield Avenue by the Beat team, and plain clothes officers and was very successful; 1 male adult and 2 juveniles had been arrested, now awaiting the results from forensics.

Plain clothes observations by the beat team due to the burglaries and thefts had resulted in the arrest of two persons last week; both were on remand and charged to court.

Members of the Parish Council agreed that the local Beat Team had become much more visible around the village over recent months.

Granite Commemorative Village Sign The rock was due to be delivered and dropped near to its final site on 6th October; a JBC would then need to attend to place the rock in its correct position. Once on site the Deputy Clerk would arrange for quotes for engraving/plaque.

Parish Council Website Website address:-www.markfieldparish-council.org.uk. The site was now live but the Deputy Clerk would continue to increase the web content over the course of the next few weeks. Information would need to be supplied to the Deputy Clerk in order to increase content. Tim Heeley from the “This is Leicestershire” site would work alongside the Clerks in order to ensure that the correct links were maintained in order to maximise the new website.

Highway safety at the junction of Park Avenue from Main Street The clerk had written to Mr I

Council Minutes had also offered to litter pick the area as he was a regular visitor to the site and expressed his upset at the about of rubbish being left or dumped in the area. The Parish Council agreed to take up the resident’s offer to litter pick the area.

Grierson, Highways Area Team Manager at Leicestershire Highways to raise the Parish Council’s concerns.

Highway safety at the junction of Ashby Road/ Leicester Road and Main Street

Future Skate Park use

The clerk had written to Mr I Grierson, Highways Area Team Manager at Leicestershire Highways to raise the Parish Council’s concerns.

approval. The Borough Council had also requested a judicial review.

British Cycling – BMX Race Track – unused land at Jubilee Playing Fields

CISWO (Coal Industry and Social Welfare Organisation) Miners’ Welfare Institute

The clerk had received the planning application and would proceed to make the application pending approval from the Recreational Grounds Trust.

Mr Lay stated that CISWO had withdrawn their consent to sell as the trustees wouldn’t agree that the organisation should receive 50% of the sale proceeds. Following a meeting with the trustees and Mr P Smith a letter of complaint had been sent to the Charity Commission.

Markfield Court Retirement village Mr Sprason sought to clarify the county council’s position regarding highway adoption process. He stated that the housing developer should come to an agreement with the local authority at the time of the development; in this case the developer did not. He stated that the current landowner needed to bring the roads up to an agreed standard before the County Council could agree to adopt the highways.

Parish Snow Wardens Mr Sprason stated that the County Council proposed: That the Parish Council should identify areas in need and purchase suitable grit bins The County Council would put locks on them and provide Parish Snow Wardens with the keys to unlock them when needed The County Council would then fill the grit bins As and when necessary the Parish Snow Wardens would then use the grit to clear footpaths.

The County Council would reimburse the Parish Council for costs incurred by employing a Winter Snow Warden.

Planning Appeal – Jelson Homes County Councillor Mr Sprason had written to the secretary of state Mr E Pickles to ask him to overrule the

Environmental Improvement Scheme It was agreed not to plant the existing wooden planters with winter bedding this year as it was envisaged that the planters would be replaced shortly.

The George Car Park and current empty shops along Main Street Mr Lay stated that the Co-Op store’s application had been approved to develop the Pharmacy.

Car Sales at Leicester Road, Field Head, A50 Mr Lay stated that the Borough Council, Highways Authority and the Police were working together to resolve the issue.

Millennium Garden Bench A resident had called the Deputy Clerk to advise that the bench had been vandalised. The resident

Mrs Beesley and 7 young skateboarders attended the meeting to discuss the future use of the skate park. They presented the Parish Council with a cheque for £53.70, which they had raised towards the maintenance of the park.

Several matters were discussed with the skateboarders and it was agreed that: • The ban on MicroScooters and BMX bicycles without stunt pegs would be lifted.

• The users would be responsible for keeping the area litter free.

• The Parish Council would provide more litter bins.

• Another safety gear sign would be purchased and installed to the front of the park by the Parish Council • A Skate Board Club would be formed which would: 1. allow the users to raise funds for the parks upkeep, 2. liaise with Centre Staff and the Parish Council, providing regular feedback 3. Help to police the park; to inform Centre Staff and local police officers when there are problems such as vandalism.

Mr Lay thanked the young people for attending the meeting and reminded them that the facility was their facility and that the Parish Council would do what they could to support them.

Markfield Parish Council Surgery: 3rd Dec. The next Markfield Parish Council Surgery takes place on Friday 3rd December 2010 between 10am and 11.30am at Markfield Community & Sports centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield.

If you have any concerns or issues you’d like to raise with Parish Councillors, please come along.

Classics SPECIAL Events The Manor House Barn, Donington le Heath.

Sat 13 Nov: MEDIEVAL Banquet (With Jester) • £30 Incl. Dinner Sat 27 Nov: MURDER MYSTERY • Ticket £30 Incl. Dinner Booking Essential T: 01520 817214 www.classics1485.co.uk

If a man opens a car door for a woman, either the car is new or the woman.

25

Old Thatched Inn, Stanton.

T: 01530 242460 Sat 6 Nov: THE BJs (50’s&60’s) 9pm till late Sun 14 Nov: KARAOKE 3pm.

EVERY WED: - QUIZ Night & ‘PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT’ 8.30pm.Cash prizes 50p per Entry.

Pool Table.(See Ad Page 17) The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Sat 6 Nov: JAYNE Sat 27 Nov: SOUND DOGS The Red Lion Main Street, Markfield.

Home of the Markfield Football Team Screen SPORT/ Darts & Pool The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 ’Take Your Pick’ ~ 50p a ticket Every Fri: 7.15-7.45pm.

Ongoing Jackpot (Min £25) ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 TRIBUTE Nights/£2 after 7pm Fri 12 Nov: BRYAN ADAMS Fri 26 Nov: TINA TURNER Fri 3 Dec: FREDDIE MERCURY Sat 4 Dec: ELVIS & Neil Diamond Quiz Nite: Every 2nd Tues (See Advert Page 29) The Bricklayers Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite – Thursdays www.bricklayersarms.net (See Advert Page 23) The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Sat 6 Nov: THE BRIDGE/Local Sat 20 Nov: FATHER TED Rock Fri 26 Nov: PLUG & PLAY 7.30pm Backline&Drums up/All Welcome Sat 27 Nov: BIGLIX Fun Rock Sat 4 Dec: SNATCH Classic Rock Mon 6 Dec: XMAS LIGHTS Switch on & CAROLS round the Tree. www.myspace.com/thorntonclub

Bagworth WMC Station Road, Bagworth T: 01530 230 205 New Members Welcome Sat 6 Nov: CARL STEVENS Fri 12 Nov: 1940’s NIGHT with Madeline Brown ~ £5 on Door Fancy Dress Opt/Under 16’s Free Sat 13 Nov: SISTERMATIC Fri 19 Nov: TICK TOCK ROCK (£3 on the door) 8 till Late.

Sat 20 Nov: Richard DEVEREUX Fri 26 Nov: SEQUENCE DANCE Special for Charity/7.30pm/£2.50 Sat 27 Nov: PETE SWARTZ Sat 4 Dec: MR ‘D’ Last Fridays: ANDY’S CHARITY QUIZ. £1.50 each. (+ usual Tea & Sequence Dances) The Red Lion Inn 933 Loughborough Road, Rothley, LE7 7NJ T: 0116 230 2488 QUIZ NITE – Thurs 9pm The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats: 13 & 27 Nov (’King of the Road’) Sundays: QUIZ Night Play Area/Beer Garden (See Advert Page 5) The Stamford Arms Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 5616.

Every SUN 3 ~ 6pm:‘GOOD TIME SUNDAY’* Sat 6 Nov: FIRE & SKILL *Sun 7 Nov: Raffles Sat 13 Nov: Mid-Life CRISIS *Sun 14 Nov: Mojo Hand Sat 20 Nov: TEENAGE KICKS *Sun 21 Nov: Fine Shape Sat 27 Nov: ANDREW RANDELL *Sun 28 Nov: Time Out Sat 4 Dec: SOULED OUT *Sun 5 Dec: The Acemen KARAOKE ~ Every Wed OPEN MIC ~Every Thurs QUIZ – General Knowledge + Find the Joker ~ EVERY Sun QUIZ – Music ~ EVERY Tues

Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.

26

Could you be a school governor?

A recruitment drive by Leicestershire County Council to encourage members of the public to become school governors has been a huge success – but more are still needed.

The number of vacant local authority governor positions in Leicestershire has been reduced from 100 (14.9%) to 30 (4.5%). The national average is a 10.5% vacancy rate.

Leicestershire County Council launched the campaign earlier this year. It aimed to raise the profile of a need for more governors by advertising in the local media and through posters and leaflets available in libraries and other community venues.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People’s Service, said: “The response we have received has been fantastic and I am delighted that more people want to influence what is happening in their schools.

“Governors have a tremendously important role. Schools with a full complement of governors, with a variety of skills, have helped to drive forward the continuing improvement in standards at our schools.”

Marie Feeley has been a governor at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Loughborough for five years.

She said: “Being a governor is one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done. It is sometimes challenging but also very rewarding.

“I would definitely encourage other parents or members of the local community to become school governors.”

There are still vacancies at schools across the county and Leicestershire County Council encourages anyone with an interest in becoming a school governor to come forward.

The County Council holds induction sessions to give an initial overview of a governor’s role and responsibilities. This is then followed up with ongoing training to keep governors up to date with new legislation and initiatives.

School governors are unpaid and do not need any special qualifications – enthusiasm and commitment are most important.

To find out more about becoming a school governor, please visit the County Council’s website at: www.leics.gov.uk/governors or call 0116 305 6435. Alternatively, people can contact their local school.



Open Evening at De Verdun Nursery There will be an Open Evening at De Verdun Nursery

 in Newbold Verdon on Tuesday 23rd November.  Everyone is welcome to discuss pre-school and nursery placements.  Please come along, meet the staff and view the facilities.    SEE THE ADVERT ON PAGE 18 OF THIS ISSUE OF THE HERALD.                        



I’ve always wanted to be normal, but lately I’ve come to suspect that this is it.

27 NEWTOWN LINFORD CHORAL SOCIETY “The Armed Man” A Mass for Peace

Tickets are now available for the Choral Society’s winter concert, which will be held in Ratby Church on Friday 28 January and Saturday 29 January 2011.

At the concert the Choral Society will be performing ‘The Armed Man’. This is a stirring contemporary piece written by composer Karl Jenkins, who has an unusual background of classical music, jazz, advertising music and as a member of the rock group Soft Machine. It is subtitled ‘A Mass for Peace’ and was commissioned for the Millennium celebrations.

Since than it has been performed all over the world to immense acclaim from audiences.

The Choral Society is looking forward to the concert, where it will be accompanied by a full orchestra, and professional soprano soloist Sarah Stephens.

Tickets are priced at £9, and are available from Peter Sayer 01530 243822, Newtown Linford Village Stores and any member of the Choir. Iris Sayer

Markfield WI’s Programme Nov 17th Birthday Party Venue TBA Dec 15th A concert of festive music and supper Highcliffe Harmony Markfield Women’s Institute • The WI exists to educate women to enable them to provide an effective role in the community, to expand their horizons and to develop and pass on important skills. • Meet at: Markfield Trinity Methodist Church, Main Street, MARKFIELD, LE67 9UU When: 3rd Wed of month at 7.45pm • Contacts: President, Mrs.Fran Johnson, 197 Main Street, Markfield Tel: 01530 243350 email: markfieldfran@hotmail.com

Big Knit – Small Miracle This year’s deadline for handing in the little hats for Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland’s Big Knit has now passed.

Hundreds of people have responded magnificently to the appeal to knit the bobble hats that are appearing on the Innocent Smoothies in Sainsburys’ and Boots stores in early November. An unbelievable total of 31,700 hats was delivered in time - worth a fantastic £7,925 to the charity. (Last year they were thrilled with 12,000 knitted items!)

Anthony Donovan (Executive Director) said; “A really big thank you to everyone who helped to make this such a great success. It will help us to keep vulnerable local older people warm this winter”.

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A team effort is a lot of people doing what I say.

28

Roman Gods Wordsearch Oh My God!

find the names of 12 ROMAN GODS in the Wordsearch puzzle below, and you could win yourself a nice prize.

This month we are offering a first prize of:

A Main Course for Two plus A Bottle of House Wine at The Field Head Hotel and a SECOND PRIZE of:

A pair of Adult Tickets to see a film at the REEL CINEMA in Loughborough To go into the draw for the prizes, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 ROMAN GODS. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your entry to: omg!, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9ZT to arrive by Saturday 20th November 2010. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s brand new Pillbox Hat will win the Meal for Two, and the second will win the Cinema Tickets. Good luck!

Here are the 12 ROMAN GODS you have to find:

CERES • DIANA • JUNO WordAPOLLO Search •Puzzle

JUPITER • MARS • MERCURY • MINERVA NEPTUNE • VENUS • VESTA • VULCAN

I B R A T S E V F M X E R K Q

S P O E Y H M Z S A N G J Y B

U K S O T I I X V R F I N R Z

T O E U N I K K E S Q R A I J

C S C E N S P T S C X N I U Z

N U R A E E S U M A T D N C E

O V B R P G V E J Z C O C B A

A R E G T O M S Z F P Y G F Q

E C Z G U K L F L W O B X M T

X Q L M N M T L W S Q X O L F

D C F Z E A I A O E I V C V H

V U L C A N Y R U C R E M R R

S B I V Y A M R E F H A N X F

Y T W G H I T O P K O X P D I

I U X N P D K Z X Z R N I Z Q

Advanced Watercolours Painting Group There are still spaces available for a painting group aimed at more advanced students who want to improve their skills with people of the same level.

Local artist Mark Wilde has be running his Watercolours Advanced group for many years at Groby Village Hall and is inviting others to come and join in.

Students must have knowledge of all the basic skills and a desire to try more advanced methods and techniques. Acrylics and pen and wash are also features of the class, which is run in a friendly, workshop atmosphere.

The 12 week class, which takes place from 7-9pm on Wednesday nights, begins on Wednesday 12 January at Groby Village Hall.

Fees are £54 (£43 reduced). For more information, please ring Mark on 01509 673064.

St. Michael’s Church November Fayre Saturday 20th November 10 am till 1pm Congregational Church Hall Raffle, gifts, cakes and groceries, household goods, bric-a-brac, refreshments and lunches All welcome

Friendly Badminton Club Requires Players Play takes place at Groby Community College on Wednesdays 8pm-10pm

Tel: 0116 267 5800

Name: ................................................................................................... 

APOLLO CERES ..............................................................................................................

DIANA JUNO ..............................................

Postcode: ................................................

JUPITER MARS Last month’s winners!

MERCURY The first correct entry drawn out of the hat last month came from: MINERVA MRS. EVELYN SNELL of Upland Drive, Markfield. Congratulations! Your Meal NEPTUNE & Wine Voucher to spend at the Field Head Hotel will be sent to you in the next 21 days.

The second correct entry drawn out came from MRS. T.G.AMES of Leicester VENUS Road, Markfield. Congratulations! Your Pair of Adult Tickets to see a film at The Reel VESTA Cinema in Loughborough will be sent to you in the next 21 days.

VULCAN Address: ................................................................................................

Anyone can admit they were wrong; the true test is admitting it to someone else.

29

Markfield NHW Update from Alex Ritchie Where do I begin?

It is not very often I find myself at a loss for words but, as I write, I am experiencing a feeling of total confusion and uncertainty as far as what is going to happen next, Neighbourhood Watch wise. Like everything else at the moment, financial cut backs are creating situations where changes are having to be made and the main one to affect our local group will undoubtedly be the cessation, in the New Year, of our direct crime information communication links with Hinckley Police.

The system used which involves weekly crime up dates is one of the main virtues of N.W. membership and came by way of email or telephone message direct from Hinckley. A copy of this message is then published in the Markfield and Field Head pages of the Villages’ Web site and also posted on the local Library notice board. Additionally, although quite rarely, any interim information of more pressing importance was passed to our IT man, Michael and immediately then forwarded to members through our pyramid message system.

As part of Police savings their direct weekly system is due to end in the New Year.

Complex registration Several informative circulations have appeared on line from our County Headquarter N.W. administrators and what is clear is that, despite the fact our local Police have full details of our current coordinators, re registration in the new replacement system which is, I understand a combination of a commercial communication company and our National Neighbourhood Watch hierarchy, will be required. A new database will then be built and a variety of contact options become available.

Having looked at the proposed re- registration system and having ploughed through the on line requirements I have, I hope, clearly established that our Markfield and Field Head existence will certainly continue but was at a loss to understand whether or not each of our seventy or so local coordinators had to individually re-register. If so, I could certainly imagine a slump in their numbers particularly among the non email users.

Guess what Having contacted, only the other day, N.W. County H.Q. with some questions to which I could receive no satisfactory answer and whilst I was sitting writing this report my telephone rang and the caller was our National Chair Marion Lewis, OBE, no less, from nearby Market Harborough. We discussed the subject in detail.

Needless to say I now know much more about what the future holds and have been assured our present strong relationship with local Police Officers will not suffer although, in the immediate future, I am obviously going to become much more of a computer and email user than ever before. However, in so doing, present coordinators, apart from re-registration , will find little difference to their involvement and all will have been explained at our Annual General Meeting on the 8th of November.

Basically the new organisation in conjunction with our National Neighbourhood Watch management team will have many more facilities and links, Trading Standards for example, which members can access but circulation received will be confined entirely to only our own local area. Anyone wishing more detail of other areas’ crime and/or police matters of concern can “log on” by email to the new system or make telephone contact with a designated number they will be allocated when initially reregistering.

Oh yes… but Thankfully there is still some time ahead of us to re-register etc. and we are coming to terms with the differing requirements but, by the time you read this, our Annual General Meeting will have taken place, everything explained to attendees and committee elected for the coming year with specific responsibilities allocated and accepted to ensure our continued existence here in Markfield and Field Head. And do you know what? When the dust has settled we will do what we normally and are delighted to do as far as keeping our local community up to date with ongoing matters. .

Lyrics Quiz Answers: (from page 20) 1. Patience, 2. Viva La Vida, 3. Valerie, 4. Total Eclipse of the Heart, 5. If I Were a Boy, 6. I’ve Got You under My Skin, 7. Thriller

They say you only use ten percent of your brain. What about the other ten?

30

WOW Christian Fellowship.........A new season begins

Church Services Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield

Sunday 21st November 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 7th November 10.30 am Morning Service 6.00 pm Evening Service

Sunday 28th November 10.30am Morning Service

Remembrance Sunday 14th November 10.30 am Morning Communion Service 6.00 pm Churches Together United Service at St Michael’s Anglican Church, Markfield Sunday 21st November 10.30 am Morning Service 6.00 pm Evening Service Sunday 28th November: 1st Sunday in Advent 10.30 am Churches Together United Service at Congregational church 6.00 pm Taizé Church Worship Sunday 5th December: 2nd Sunday in Advent 10.30 am Morning Worship 6.00 pm Evening Worship

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton Sunday 7th November 10.30am Morning Service 5.00pm United Praise Service Sunday 14th November Remembrance Service 10.45am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper Please note the later start time

Sunday 5th December 10.30am Morning Service 5.00pm United Praise Service There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine.

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield 10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 14th November 10.30 am All Age and Parade Remembrance Service 6.00 pm Remembrance Service Friday 19th November 8.00 pm Iona Style Service Sunday 21st November 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 28th November 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield at the Congregational Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

Recently at Without Walls Christian Fellowship on Main st. Stanton Under Bardon, we have had some changes to our leadership.

Sunday 5th December 10.30 am Holy Communion and Baptism Wednesdays this Autumn 7.30 pm Alpha at The Rectory, 3a The Nook, Markfield

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon Sunday 14th November 10.30 am Morning Service Sunday 21st November 10.30 am Family Service Sunday 28th November 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 5th December 10.30 am Morning Service

St Peter’s Church, Thornton Sunday 14th November 10.30 am Remembrance Service Sunday 21st November 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 28th November 10.30 am Family Service Sunday 5th December 10.30 am Morning Service

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth Please note: This service will be at Bagworth Community Centre Sunday 5th December 9.00 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak Sunday 14th November 6.00 pm Remembrance Service Sunday 21st November 3.00 pm Bereavement Memorial Service Sunday 28th November 6.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 5th December 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Some of you in the village & the surrounding area would have known Barry Thomas who had been responsible for leading & caring for the pastoral needs of the people for the last four years.

Barry is from Los Angeles in California & had felt for some time, with his lovely wife Josephine that it was time to return to his homeland & continue in his vocation there.

The people who are part of the fellowship were very sad to see Barry & Josephine go but are very excited at what the future holds for everyone who is involved at WOW. We are now led by a team of experienced ministers with one lady, Catherine Henderson being appointed to take up the administration & daily pastoral duties of the fellowship.

We are shortly about to start another phase of the renovation work to the building having already completed some necessary improvements. This is a staged work as the people there look to raise the money needed to focus on the neediest areas.

We will continue to be available to the community in Stanton & the surrounding area & hope to meet more of you in the future. On Thursday the 2nd of December we will be opening at 2pm for a ‘Christmas Afternoon Tea’ which we hope will allow people to meet with others from the village. The fellowship at WOW feels strongly that they would like to connect with the people in the village & provide a safe haven where people can come, chat & be cared for. (Prayer will be available if required) We also meet every Sunday morning at 10.30am in the building on Main St, why not drop in & join us. You will be very welcome.

ANSTEY & DISTRICT FUNERAL SERVICES

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

As part of our aftercare service, we now offer a monthly Bereavement Aftercare & Support Group, which has been set up to provide a FREE support service, not just to our clients, but to ANY bereaved person, irrespective of their age, creed, religion and length of bereavement.

The group meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month in the catering suite at Anstey & District Funeral Services between 10am and 12noon.

Next dates: Sat 20th November & Sat 18th December ARRAN BRUDENELL, Tel: 0116 234 0548

My parents stayed together for forty years, but that was out of spite.

31

Herald Film Reviews from Tom Flowitt

The Social Network

(12A) Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Joseph Mazzello and Justin Timberlake (120 mins)

We live in the Facebook generation, well; 500 million of us do anyway. The Social network is the story of how Facebook was created and how you don’t make 500 million friends without making a few enemies.

The film starts as it means to go on with a barrage of dialogue, mostly in what seems like riddles from the main character, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg (Eisenberg). At first this gives you the feeling that it will become ever more annoying but instead it becomes strangely hypnotic.

The majority of the film is all talk no action which you might think makes the film drag but bizarrely the film is over in a flash and to its credit keeps you hooked throughout.

Overall: It was rumoured that Mark Zuckerberg was initially not going to see the film because he felt it was ‘fictitious’. Now that he has I bet he doesn’t regret it. HHHHI

Red

(12A) Starring: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman (111 mins)

Bruce Willis is retired CIA agent Frank Moses who is struggling to get to grips with his new life.

When his past comes back to haunt him he must put his old unit back together with the help of a few old friends, each of whom are designated ‘Retired: Extremely Dangerous’.

The film is very stop start at the beginning and continues on to just stop towards the end. There is plenty of action but the film seems to drag its heels towards the end and dare I say is at times boring (sorry Bruce).

Despite the all star cast the film feels very flat. Willis and Malkovich in particular put in some good performances to show there is still life in the old dogs yet but it is not enough to bring life to the film itself.

Overall: The film lacks energy throughout which for the cast at the films disposal is Extremely Disappointing. HHIII

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

~ Forthcoming Events ~ Saturday, 6th November - Palace Market and Craft Fair from 10am-3pm.

FREE ADMISSION. A large variety of interesting stalls including; Jewellery, wooden toys, hand-knitted goods, ceramics, cookies, books, pearls, bags PLUS craft supplies, farm produce, Fair-Trade and much more! A great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping!

Saturday, 6th November - Christmas Auction - supporting Ibstock Community Choir and Community First Responders.

Buffet, entertainment, games, quiz, and more. Tickets £3.00. Starts at 7.30pm.

Donations of new and gently used gifts gratefully received. For more information contact the Stronger Communities Team - Chantal and Charlotte - 01530 512452 Friday, 12th November – Holmesdale Manor Nursery School hosts a Christmas shopping evening at The Palace, Ibstock in aid of ‘Rainbows’. A large selection of Christmas gift ideas for everyone. Mulled wine and mince pies. From 6.30pm until 9.30pm - FREE ADMISSION Friday, 19th November – Charity Organ Concert with Dirk Jan Ranzijn. Dirk performs many shows on the continent, including a TV show in the Disney Park in Denmark, Tickets: £6.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or Mr Martin, Tel: 01455 290145 or Mr Lines, Tel: 01530 457274

Saturday, 20th November – Ibstock Rock@ The Palace – ‘INDIEROX’ SHEFFIELD BASED BAND. Playing songs

by Kings of Leon, Oasis, Stone roses, blink 182, the jam, James, The Clash, Green Day, The Killers and many more!........Plus rock/indie/punk tunes. £3 ENTRY on the door. Licensed Bar. On Saturday, 4th December - The Palace Christmas Craft and Gift Fair from 10.00am until 3.00pm.

FREE ADMISSION. A large variety of interesting stalls including; Fair Trade craft and Gifts, Card making and scrapbooking supplies, wooden toys and gifts, jewellery, cards, kitchen linen, preserves nappy cakes, freshwater pearls, artist, cupcakes and much more! A great opportunity for Christmas shopping!

Saturday 4th December – ‘The Opera Dudes’ -The essence of an Opera Dude show is ‘Expect The Unexpected!’. A glorious combination of top quality singing and music-making sit alongside slapstick comedy, ridiculous impressions and audience participation. Whether you love Opera, Music Theatre, Swing or simply want to have a great night out, the Opera Dudes are for you. Tickets: £5.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460

Tickets from Halls Electrical, High Street, Ibstock. 01530 260460.

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