October 2012 Groby Spotlight

Graffiti incident at Groby BMX track GROBY PARISH COUNCIL has informed the Spotlight that a graffiti attack occurred at the Groby BMX track and play area on 1st October.

The incident was immediately reported to the Police and, by the time you read this, the paint will have been cleaned off.

If you know anything about this, please notify the Police on 0116 222 2222.

Groby Players’ next production

Girls win their league!

Our Autumn production, Laying the Ghost’ by Simon Williams, is set in a retirement home for old actors.

It is Margot’s 70th birthday, and she is visited by her ex-husband, his present wife and his lover!

Scenes of hilarity and chaos ensue, and it all makes for a very entertaining evening.

Be aware, the play does contain some strong language.

Performances take place on the 8th/9th /10th November at 7.30pm in theVillage Hall, Groby Tickets priced £6.00 can be obtained by calling 0116 287 7373 or tel/text to 07790 861033.

Tickets will be on sale in the Village Hall every Saturday morning in October, from 10am12noon.

Alternatively to reserve tickets you can email me at: dot@dhollins.freeserve.co.uk

Dot Hollins

Watercolour painting class in Groby There are still a few spaces left in the watercolour painting classes at Groby Village Hall.

Artist Mark Wilde is running Watercolour Painting for Beginners on Friday mornings.

This class is aimed at complete beginners, or those who want to brush up on their basic skills, and includes step by step demonstrations and one to one tuition.

His Watercolours Intermediate classes also have spaces left and are aimed at those who have learned the basic skills but need to move on to a more advanced level. One class meets on Tuesday mornings and one on Tuesday afternoons.

For more information, contact Mark at 01509 673064 or by email markwilde8@gmail.com.

Art in Ratby For all you artists, how about the ‘ART IN RATBY’ art exhibition & Craft Fair, Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby.

Sat 3rd November - 10.00am to 3.00pm and Sun 4th November 10.00am to 2.00pm.

To round off a very successful 2011/12 football season Martinshaw Girls football team led by coach, Teaching Assistant Mr Andy Bennett, were presented with the HABSSA trophy after winning the Hinckley and Bosworth Girls Football League.

The trophy was added to the already bulging cabinet after the boys team won their own Hinckley and Bosworth league and the National NPower trophy after their trip to Wembley. Both teams are now in training hoping for an equally successful 2012/13 season.

Owen Lawrence

Give a dog a home!

Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary - which is just up the road in Markfield - has a selection of dogs who need a loving home.

Turn to page 16 to see if you like the look of any of these adorable pets.

NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 17th November - Advert/Articles needed by 3rd November

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Relate Courses

Groby & Field Head Spotlight

Relate Leicestershire offers a range of one day courses to help individuals with relationships and other challenges facing them.

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These range from a Moving Forward & Taking Charge of your Life course to parenting workshops.

There is also a ten week Basic Counselling Skills course beginning on 22 January.

For further details, see www. relateleicestershire.org.uk or ring 0116 254 3011.

Email us at: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings.

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

Elizabeth Woodville Gardening Day Brain Teasers

Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

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

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

Groby & Field Head Spotlight cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication.

All contents © Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

None of the articles contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

NEXT ISSUE OUT Saturday 13th October

Advert Deadline:

Saturday 29th September

TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069

Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

Ad rates: page 16

An 18-wheel truck is crossing a 4 kilometre bridge that can only support 10,000 kilograms and that’s exactly how much the rig weighs.

Halfway across the bridge, a 30 gram sparrow lands on the cab, but the bridge doesn’t collapse. Why not?

Unusual paragraph

With all the rain that has fell this summer the gardens at Elizabeth Woodville School had got a little out of hand, so on Saturday 29th September the PTA sent out a plea to students and parents to see if anyone could spare a couple of hours to help.

This is an unusual paragraph. I’m curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

The session ran from 1-5 with people dropping in whenever they could help, bringing their gardening tools with them, with families who live on Highfield Road even pulling their brown bins down. Tea, juice and biscuits were available all afternoon and the sun shone brightly. At the end of the afternoon all the gardens were clear ready to hand back to the children to start planting and a new green house had been erected. Many thanks to everyone who gave up some of their Saturday afternoon to help, we couldn’t have done it without you.

When your boss wants to visit you on Facebook

Managers are legally entitled to ask their employees for their Facebook user names and passwords, according to lawyers.

So it now seems likely that increasing numbers of British workers will be asked for their login details, after the practice recently began in the US, according to the Trades Union Congress.

Paula Whelan, an employment partner at Shakespeares law firm, said there is nothing to stop employers from asking for social media logins. But she added that employees or interviewees could not be forced to disclose the details. Erin Egan, Facebook’s chief privacy officer, described such a practice as ‘alarming’.

The only one of your children who does not grow up and move away is your husband.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

GCSE results for children in care soar Leicestershire is celebrating after children in care posted record GCSE results.

New figures reveal that 43 per cent of students achieved five A* to C passes this summer - this is the highest rate ever for Leicestershire and seven per cent more than last year.

Leicestershire County Council has 400 children in its care and through one-to-one tuition, mentoring and youth work, supports young people to raise aspirations and achieve.

Children and young people in care have very different lives from those who live with their own families and are some of the most vulnerable in society.

As their corporate parents, the council works hard to ensure that they don’t miss out and provides young people with work experience, apprenticeships and access to computers.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah McGeechan from Loughborough received her GCSE results in August and has just started a level 1 childcare diploma at Loughborough College.

She said: “I chose the course because my experience of being in care has always made me want to work with and help kids.

“I’m enjoying the whole course but I really love doing practical work with babies and young children. I would love to study more and eventually become a midwife.”

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the children and young people’s service, said: “These are great results and I’d like to congratulate the young people on their achievements.

“The rise indicates the continuing progress being made by our young people in education, enabling them to move forward and achieve even better things in the future.

“The County Council’s decision some years ago to set up a dedicated education service for children in care is vindicated by these results and I would like to congratulate our staff for their excellent efforts.”

To find out more about how Leicestershire County Council supports children in care, please visit www.leics.gov.uk/lac_services_for or call 0116 305 2719.

Two vacancies on Groby Parish Council THERE are two vacancies on Groby Parish Council as a result of resignations.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk to Groby Parish Council, Beverley Greenwood, on 0116 287 6985.

Notice of the vacancies will be posted on notice boards and the Groby Parish Council website.

Whatever you do, don’t mention it!

What can’t you mention in polite society these days?

Taboo subjects come and go, but it seems that the current top ten which are strictly off-limits when people meet are as follows: your sex-life, any infidelity, your personal finances, details of your family planning, relationship with your partner, your salary details, how much your house may be worth, your serious illness (if any), your politics and, finally, your religion.

It’s not that we don’t talk about these subjects, but they are generally reserved for heart-tohearts with friends and family. The poll was carried out by O2, the mobile phone company.

Progress is made by lazy men looking for an easier way to do things.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Girls Under 11’s gain their first point ever!

At the start of May six ten year old girls turned up at Groby Community College on a wet Saturday morning for their first ever football coaching session.

Four months later they have grown to a squad of 12 and have entered the Leicester City and County Girls Football League to play every Sunday at their new home ground at Beacon Playing Fields.

It is a big ask for them as they are playing some teams that have been together for years, not months but each week they are improving both individually and as a team.

This was evident last Sunday afternoon when in only their fourth ever game they gained their first ever point with a deserved 0-0 draw v Cosby Cobras.

As well as the under 11’s (pictured here) Groby Juniors also now have girls football teams at under 9’s (school year 3 and 4) and under 10’s (school year 4 and 5) and are still looking for additional players to join these teams.

We train every Saturday morning 11-12.30am at Groby Community College.

If you require further information then please contact … Phil Bray on Mobile: 07809 437287 Email: pbray@redtree-solutions.com

Let sleeping dogs lie...

Where did your dog spend last night?

Six in ten dog owners let their dogs sleep on the bed with them, even though half of the dog owners who do so also admit that their furry friend disrupts their sleep each night.

Research by Churchill, the insurance company, found that 68% of dog owners who sleep with their dogs cite companionship as the reason for taking their dog to bed with them. Only 22 per cent keep their dogs close for security.

Meanwhile, more than a third of dog owners are careful to take the needs of their dog into account when buying a new bed.

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

Thanks!

Pessimists have already begun to worry about what is going to replace automation.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Small Ads • Bags of LADIES CLOTHES, mainly ‘Next’, ‘M&S’, etc. Size 10-12. £15 each. Will split.

• Selection of CHILDREN’S BOOKS - 50p each.

• DOLL’S PRAM - Mamas & Papas - £10 • Selection of GOLF CLUBS - £20 • 21 TOP GEAR magazines - £15 • BEAVERS Polo Shirt - size 30” - £5 • EXPLORERS Scouts Shirt - size S - £5 • CRICKET TRAINERS - size 7, Gray Nicholls - £5 • CRICKET PADS - adults - £10 • CD CABINET - wooden, with glass front - £20 Tel: 01530 243015 • Black & Decker ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW - hardly used - £95 o.n.o.

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

Max price: £300.

LETTER

Mobile phone reception problems I wondered if anybody was having reception difficulties with Orange mobile phones in the A 50 area - Markfield Road.

I have for many years had Orange as my mobile provider and not had a problem with reception. That is until the last month or so. I have been to the Orange shop on two occasions and they assure me the reception in Groby is tickety boo. I would be very interested if anybody else is suffering with no mobile reception as soon as they get home.

Helen Box

Open Letter From Groby Parish Council

Dog Exclusion Order: Beacon Field, Groby

To clarify the situation as to why the Parish Council are satisfied that suitable alternatives are available and have passed a resolution to exclude dogs from Beacon Field.

It can also be viewed on line at www.groby.com Alternatively, copies of the Order can be requested by writing to:

The proposed area, Beacon Field, has been classed as a “sports field” since 1988 when a lease was first signed with Leicestershire County Council enabling Lady Jane Grey Primary School to be built having the use of Beacon Field as a sports field. There has been a period since 2010 when LCC declined to re new the lease as a result of cost cuts.

However from the 1st October 2012, Lady Jane Grey Primary School in their own right as an Academy, will lease said land from the Parish Council, and will continue to use said land as a school sport’s field.

Groby Parish Council recognises that a vast majority of dog owners act responsibly and keep their dog or dogs under control which includes clearing up after them in a public place.

Unfortunately however there are a small number of inconsiderate dog owners who do not which causes many problems for the community as a whole. Currently dog control issues such as these are addressed through the use of Byelaws and The Dogs Fouling of Land Act. This legislation, however, is somewhat limited in its scope as it does not address issues such as prohibiting dogs from sensitive sites such as school sport’s fields.

The danger to human health in dog faeces is the presence of the eggs of Toxocara Canis. This is a roundworm which lives, harmlessly, in dogs but presents severe danger to humans. Damage from faeces is more prevalent in young children, but this is often because they are less aware of correct hygiene procedure than older children or adults. However, their immune system is weaker than that of adults, which puts them at more risk of succumbing to illness. Even when responsible owners do clear up after their pets, traces of faeces and Toxocara can remain, especially where the dog has been on grass. This is especially problematic as, although, there is no faeces to be seen, the danger is now an invisible one, and what looks like a safe place is actually infected and dangerous.

The Parish Council would be failing in their statutory duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1992 if they did not ensure that the sport’s field met the appropriate standards of safety.

Furthermore, under the Children Act 1989 the Parish Council has a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area.

Subsequently, after much deliberation and debate at their meeting on Monday 3rd September 2012, a resolution was passed by the Parish Council to enforce a Dog Exclusion Order on Beacon Field effective from 1st October 2012.

The Order can be inspected at the Parish Council Offices, Village Hall, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0DQ - Monday to Thursday, between the hours of 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.

Groby Parish Council

The Parish Clerk Parish Council Offices Village Hall Leicester Road Groby Leicester LE6 0DQ Or by email: parishclerk@groby.com With reference to enquiries as to how the area will be policed to enforce the Exclusion Order, please be advised that Parish Council authorised Wardens, Police Officers, PSCOs, traffic wardens and Neighbourhood Wardens all have the authority to issue on-the-spot £75 Fixed Penalty Fines to anyone seen with a dog in an area covered by an Exclusion Order. Groby Parish Council will maintain a zero tolerance policy once the Exclusion Order comes into effect.

Failure to make payment of a Fixed Penalty Fine or repeated offences will result in the offender being referred to the Magistrates Court where a maximum fine of £1,000 can be imposed and their details being referred to the media.

Groby Parish Council owns a number of other dog walking areas in the village where dog walking is allowed strictly subject to ensuring that owners and dog walkers pick up after their dogs and ensuring that they are kept under full control at all times: • Butler’s Field – 7.6 acres – is a “designated DOG WALKING MEADOW” off Sacheverell Way • Marina Park – 8.78 acres – located off Castell Drive and Marina Drive • Stamford Memorial Park – 8.11 acres – located off Stamford Dv and accessible through Marina Park • Cowpen Spinney – 4.4 acres – with access off Oakmeadow Way, Ratby Rd & the Mineral Line Walk • Mineral Line Walk – 2.66 acres – access off Sacheverell Way, Greys Drive, Spinney Close & Ratby Rd • Quarry Park – 13.05 acres – access off Forest Rise • Flaxfield Close – 0.69 acres • Highfield Road – 0.16 acres • Sycamore Drive – 2.0 acres Yours sincerely,

Beverley Greenwood. MBA.BSc. AILCM Clerk to the Council T. 0116 2876985

Pills to be taken in twos always come out of the bottle in threes.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Martinshaw opens its new office and waiting area Although some finishing touches remain, Martinshaw Primary School are delighted to announce that the new reception office is now in use.

The new waiting area has been available since the start of term, but there will be further development of the décor and furnishing to create a welcoming area which will also showcase some of the successes of the students at the school.

Staff and Governors are indebted to the Martinshaw School Association for their contribution towards the financing of the project.

Claim your tile!

Parents and pupils past and present will be aware of the painted tiles in the old school entrance which have, unfortunately, had to be removed. The tiles, in a project organised by past teacher Miss Mel Molloy in 2002, were painted by the pupils and show children of all ages from throughout the school. They are undamaged,so would anyone who recognises themselves or recognises their children and would like a tile, please contact the school as soon as possible.

Owen Lawrence

Circuit training sessions to begin A NEW programme of weekly circuit training sessions are about to begin in Hinckley for those who would like to get fit with a full body workout.

Run by Shaun Curtis of SC Personal Training, in conjunction with Active Together, the 45 minute sessions include a series of exercises that make use of various equipment such as dumbbells, exercise balls and resistance bands. The sessions will take place at the Green Towers Youth Club in Richmond Road, Hinckley every Saturday. They will begin at 9.30am and cost £4.

For more information, contact Shaun Curtis on 0777 287 8745.

They say when a man holds a woman’s hand before marriage, it is love, after marriage, it is self-defense.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

School bus row - ‘maladministration and injustice’ Norman Griffiths reads the Ombudsman’s report The Leicestershire County Council (LCC) decision to charge £400 a year for each child to travel by bus from Field Head to Groby Community College was a controversial one and resulted in a campaign by residents, a petition and complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.

In addition Gary Smith, of Longland Safety Management Ltd joined parents, the Clerk to the Parish Council and Field Head Councillor Peter Batty on a winter walk from Groby to Field Head to assist in assessing the hazards which could be encountered by the young people in walking the route.

His recommendation was that the County Council should undertake a more formal safety assessment taking into account the volume and speed of traffic. “I would advise that the bus is re-instated on safety grounds until a more specialist assessment can be undertaken at the times the children walk to and from school by the local authority,” he concluded.

In April a spokesperson for LCC said that a “new assessment process is being reported to the Council’s Cabinet on 8th May. The process takes account of the Home to School Travel and Transport Guidance provided by the Department for Education and Skills in 2007. Once the revised Policy has been approved an assessment, using the new criteria, will be urgently undertaken by an officer not involved with the original assessment. When the result of that assessment is known we will contact the complainant and satisfy the requirements of the Local Government Ombudsman.”

The Ombudsman, however, is not satisfied and his report issued this month finds the County Council guilty of maladministration which has caused the parents injustice. In the report he does not name the complainants or schools, one of which is understood to be Groby Community College. The other school is in another Leicestershire village.

The Ombudsman’s job The Ombudsman considers complaints of service failure and administrative fault causing injustice, and decides whether a council has acted reasonably in accordance with the law, its own policies and accepted standards of local administration. The Ombudsman cannot challenge properly made decisions even

though people may disagree with them, nor the professional judgement of a council’s officers.

If there is maladministration the Ombudsman considers whether injustice has arisen, and any suitable remedy for that injustice.

The Council’s responsibilities A council must provide free hometo-school transport for a pupil up to statutory school leaving age who lives beyond the statutory walking distance of the school and apply special rules to children from low income families. Statutory walking distance is defined as being up to three miles for pupils aged eight to sixteen. This is measured by the nearest available route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, can walk with reasonable safety.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) guidance places a series of obligations on councils and suggests that in conducting route assessments the following factors should be considered: • “the age of the child; • whether any potential risks might be mitigated if the child were accompanied by an adult; • the width of any roads travelled along and the existence of pavements; • the volume of traffic travelling along any roads: • the existence or otherwise of any street lighting: and • the condition of the route at different times of the year, at the times of day that a child would be expected to travel to and from school.”

The Ombudsman’s decision Local Government Ombudsman Dr Jane Martin concluded that the Council did not consider most of these factors, and this was maladministration, as was the failure to notify parents of the outcome of it’s reassessment of the walking routes and their right of review. In addition the Council only carried out some of the actions it agreed with The Ombudsman. It has yet to apologise formally and pay £100 each to the complainants to reflect the time and trouble incurred in complaining. It also has to write confirming the outcome of the re-assessments and the right of review and undertake a reassessment of one of the walking routes. LCC is also required to review and amend existing review process to ensure it is fit for purpose.

The Council has three months to notify the Ombudsman of the action it has taken or proposes to take. The report, which is 10 pages long, can be read on the Ombudsman’s website – http:// www.lgo.org.uk/news.

The parent’s reaction The parents feel that the Ombudsman’s report confirms that they have been let down, and their children put at risk, but that their problem has not been resolved.

One said : “So the dark mornings are approaching, weathers turning and our children have to walk alongside a dual carriageway on a narrow pavement that has no grass verge or safety barrier

between them and the 40+ tonne HGV’s tucking down Bradgate Hill.

And not forgetting that LCC have switched off the lights along the route as part of their energy saving initiative. Finally, don’t forget our children can wave to their friends travelling on the Markfield bus to the same school along the same route with empty seats, yet these cannot be made available.”

The Council’s response A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said : “We take complaints made to the Ombudsman very seriously. As such, we have already acted on many of the remedies she has set out and are working to comply with the rest of the recommended actions. As a result of this investigation we have already reviewed and introduced a revised home to school transport walking route assessment policy so it is more robust and reflects the Department of Education and Skills Guidance from 2007. Two of the routes in question have been reassessed and remain as available walking routes.

The Ombudsman has confirmed that our revised policy and the reassessments undertaken fully comply with the guidance. We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the parties concerned for any uncertainty that has been caused as a result of this.”

The Council has three months to notify the Ombudsman of the action it has taken or proposes to take. The report, which is 10 pages long, can be read on the Ombudsman’s website – http:// www.lgo.org.uk/news.

Who are your real friends?

Women are twice as good as men when it comes to making lifelong friends.

One in three women have as a ‘best friend’ someone they met at school, while men are more likely to find good friends later in life.

Most of us have on average just five friends whom we would describe as ‘close’. But we tend to have up to 50 names on our mobile phone contacts, and between 50 and 100 friends linked to our Facebook account.

The survey, by Orangina, also found that our number of good friends gradually decreases, until by the age of 60, we have on average only three real friends.

There are two kinds of people who don’t say much: those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Village Society Preservation ~ Conservation Communal Interests

Forthcoming Events • Thurs Oct 25: Chris & Ken the Railwaymen - Mr Ken Issit & Mr Chris Bates • Thurs Nov 22: Fools and Jesters - Mrs Sally Henshaw • Thurs Dec 13: Life as a Barnardo’s Boy - Mr Alan Dearman Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at 7.30pm.

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

Panto Time

Mother Goose is coming to Thurcaston

Helping hands needed for local furniture re-use!

If you want to give something back to the community and have some spare time, then volunteering is for you. The REACT furniture re-use project in Coalville needs volunteers to help in their furniture warehouse and with their furniture delivery service.

The REACT project based behind the Marlene Reid Centre in Coalville, is based around furniture re-use. Any funds raised from selling the re-used furniture is returned to the project to fund training for the long term unemployed.

REACT provide delivery of re-used furniture for a nominal charge and for anyone in North West Leicestershire on means tested benefits, delivery is completely free. They need more volunteer delivery drivers and assistants to help get the furniture to the people who need it. Being a volunteer offers lots of flexibility – anyone can volunteer as much or as little time as they want, work on a regular basis or be as flexible as they need to be; any time on any day of the week would be very much appreciated. So if you think this is the thing for you and you do have any time to spare call Lorraine Harrison on 01530 512454 or email react@mrc.uk.net to become a volunteer and get involved with MRC.

Grandparents grilled

The Latimer Players are pleased to announce that once again they will be performing a traditional family pantomime, suitable for all ages.

Follow Mother Goose, her family and village friends and see how she turns from rags to riches with the help of the Candy, the goose who lays golden eggs.

You are invited to join in with the boos and hisses and the songs as you enjoy the silly antics of Bodjit and Scrachit. See how the good fairy triumphs over both the bad fairy and the villain and how Jack and Jill come to live happily ever after.

Performance dates are 22nd, 23rd and 24th November at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee at 2.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston LE& 7JA. Tickets are available from Anna Lacey, 121 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, LE7 7JL. All seats are £6.50 each.

Please support our advertisers if you can.

They make the publication of the Spotlight possible.

11

Topic comes to life at Lady Jane Grey!

The children in Year One and Year Two at Lady Jane Grey Primary School were treated to a terrific visit from some of their grandparents on Friday 21st September. The new creative curriculum at LJG started this term in Key Stage One with the topic of ‘Me and My Family’.

To help this topic come to life, grandparents were invited in to the school to speak to the children about what life was like when they were young.

Prior to the visit the children discussed and wrote a list of questions they wanted to ask the grandparents. Some of the questions included ‘Did you have a car? What was school like? What toys did you play with? Did you have a television?’ ‘Was football invented?’

The children put these questions to the grandparents and were very interested to find out that in some aspects life was quite different when their grandparents were younger, for example, not all the grandparents had a television, and that the toilets at school were outside! The children also

LETTER Thanks for Groby street fair I am writing to express my huge thanks to the small and dedicated team who put in hours of work for our community of Groby to enable the street fair to happen this year, in the preparation, on the day and the inevitable clearing up afterwards.

For anyone who missed it this was another great event.

Chances for people to have fun, chat, and enjoy the various stalls all in fabulous sunshine.

Congratulations team.

J.Mann

found out that in other aspects life was quite similar, for example, boys loved playing football, and that they had milk at school (except for the milk being in glass bottles!).

Following the visit lots of the children commented on how much they loved talking to the grandparents and finding out the answers to their questions.

One child even said ‘Can the grandparents come to school everyday?’

We would like to say a big thank you to the grandparents who visited us to help make our first creative curriculum topic come alive!

Mrs Renshaw Deputy Headteacher

My problem is that I appeal to everyone that can do me absolutely no good.

12

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Groby Allotment Society News - from John Thornton Managing Ratby Road and Orchard Close How quickly the autumn comes upon us, the plots are already being prepared for winter.

Planning and digging for the next year’s crops are taking place.

Spring maturing plants are being planted. I shall soon be sowing over wintering broad bean seeds in trays, leaving them in the green house until they are three to four inches high, ready to plant out in the ground in early November. These generally produce a very early spring crop and because they have over wintered they have tough top leaves, which don’t attract black fly, always a pest for spring sowings, which I also plant, which gives us a follow on crop. You either like broad beans or hate them, but mice love the seeds if planted directly into the soil. They go along the row smelling them out. One trick is to soak seeds in paraffin immediately before planting to put the little chaps off.

What a strange year it has been. Extremes of cold followed by drought and hot weather then many days of heavy rain. Three sowing of crops like beetroot didn’t always get results, spinach and parsnips were no better. No damsons at all and very few apples and pears, even the ever-dependable blackberry not so good. Everything has not been bad though; raspberries, gooseberries and black currants have fruited well. Runner beans had a bad start by not wanting to climb the sticks, and who could blame them but most cropped well in the end.

Peas did well if you could keep the birds off, sparrows love the newly shooting leaves and pigeons will eat anything green that’s unprotected.

The fox does catch them as shown by the scattering of feathers.

Pigeons are certainly getting tamer, you can trip over them on the plots, they know man is now not the enemy that farmers with guns used to be.

Gardeners always say it will be better next year. It will certainly be different let’s hope we don’t get the extremes that this year brought.

An old hand said: ‘If this was my first year I would give up.’

Fortunately so far no one has. We still have a short waiting list but if you are waiting your chance will soon come, it depends what size and location you are looking for.

Our fund raising and social sub committee has had a successful year.

They are a hard working bunch of ladies who have certainly added a new facet to gardening. Based in the new office on Ratby Road plots they provide hot drinks and biscuits on selected Sunday mornings during the summer months, the last one for this season they will provide bacon butties. Their highlight of the year was the double stand at the street fair, which again was for fund raising. Hard work, but they tell me they had a very enjoyable day with many laughs and meeting people to explain the changing face of allotment gardening.

Jane seen working hard but having no trouble selling produce at the street fair.

Kathy and Evelyn in the sun whilst the team under the canopy are providing Indian delicacies, which were a great attraction on the day.

It takes money to make money because you have to copy the design exactly.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

13

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CALL JIM SHOOTER . 95 LEICESTER ROAD, GROBY

0116 2879715 / 07814224630

RCC Offer Free Training & Information to Rural Communities The Rural Community Council is hosting a free training and information session for rural communities in Leicestershire as part of the LRP Rural Advice Service.

The free session will focus on tackling a range of rural issues, and provide communities with an introduction to a number of Big Society initiatives including: Neighbourhood Planning & the Localism Bill, Community Led Planning, Good Neighbour Schemes, Environment Groups, Energy Efficiency Schemes, and Rural Broadband Projects.

As well as introducing each initiative, and outlining the latest news on Big Society and the Localism Bill, RCC officers will be on hand to provide tips and advice for initiating a project, gaining support from the community, recruiting volunteers, and also with sourcing funding to cover project costs.

This FREE session is taking place On: Tuesday 6th November (2:00pm – 4:00pm) At: Community House, 133 Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE4 5LQ. Book your place online: www.ruralcc.org.uk/event-bookings Or by telephone on 0116 2662905.

Please note - places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For more details contact the RCC Rural Action Team on 0116 2662905.

Most popular names for babies If your family is soon to welcome a new arrival, what will you name him or her?

Harry was the most popular boy’s name this past year, with more than 7,500 boys being given the name. Oliver, Jack, Alfie and Charlie followed.

As for girls, Amelia took front place, with more than 5000 girls being so named. Olivia, Lily, Jessica and Emily follow.

Harry has been steadily rising in popularity in recent years, with the Harry Potter books and now Prince Harry seemingly boasting the name. When various spellings of Mohammed are combined, it runs Harry a close second, with 7,492 babies being given the name.

I took a physics course that was so hard I couldn’t find the classroom.

14

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Memorable journey for Groby’s charity bikers Our European adventure started early on Monday morning at 9.00 am. Packed and ready to go we drove down to Dover with weather and traffic in our favour, arriving at the White Cliffs in plenty of time to store the vehicles and pedal down to the ferry. The Channel was calm and we set sail without delay, so far so good.

On arrival in France, eager to get going, we disembarked, loaded up, and got our first taste of cycling on the continent as we headed to our first port of call, an overnight stop in Dunkirk. Hotel was pleasant and the town great to look around and sample the local food and beer.

Next morning, up bright and breezy and on the road quickly over the border and onto the cycle paths and canal towpaths of Belgium, all very organised and traffic free. The terrain was mostly flat and because of this we were able to take in the landscape as we passed through the villages and towns until we reached our destination of Zonnebeke, situated in the Ypres Salient area, the heart of the battlefields of the Western Front.

Over the next 2 days we toured the area visiting as many cemeteries and places of interest as we possibly could including, Ypres, Polygon Wood, the trench museum of Santuary Wood, Hill 2 and Tyne Cot Cemetery, the resting place of more than 12,000 soldiers and a memorial, in a semi-circular flint wall, of nearly 35,000 names of soldiers with unknown graves who perished on the battlefields in the area on the slopes just below Passchendale.

On the Thursday evening we made our way into Ypres to explore the town and to witness “The Last Post” at the Menin Gate. The gate, which marks the start of one of the main roads out of Ypres and

onwards to the battlefields, is still an important thoroughfare for traffic and pedestrians throughout the day. However, as evening falls, every night without exception, the police close the road to traffic and visitors watch as buglers from the Fire Brigade play “The Last Post”.

It was such a moving experience to stand in silence and witness this daily act of remembrance in honour of the brave and young soldiers who perished on the battlefield defending their town.

The actual gate was rebuilt after the war and as a monument bears the names of 55,896 British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the area of Ypres and whose final resting place is unknown. Each place of remembrance which we visited, without exception were beautifully kept and showed the deep gratitude of the people of

Belgium.

Friday morning was our time to pack up and leave Zonnebeke and cycle back along the cycle paths, cross the border and then onto Dunkirk Harbour to catch the 4 o’clock ferry. Having covered 268 km from leaving the vehicles at Dover to returning at Blighty all in one piece with no ill effects other than a dose of food poisoning! We arrived home safe and sound.

As a place to visit Belgium ticks a lot of boxes and if you enjoy cycling even better. The weather was great, chocolate is excellent and as they brew over 1,000 different beers it would be rude not to sample a few! However we did miss our Full English breakfast in the morning as Continental is not quite the same and if you prefer tea to coffee make sure you take plenty of tea bags!

Now that we are safely home and back at work it’s time to collect the remainder of pledges and sponsorship from friends, family, and the Royal Mail and the residents of Groby. The fund raising has gone extremely well with the total standing at £650.00 so far. I must say a big thank you to everyone who has pledged or sponsored me and as soon as I have a final total I will let everyone know.

Simon Moore

Chocolate!

If you like hot chocolate, go ahead: it seems that drinking a cup at bedtime can help stave off memory problems.

Certainly a recent study in Italy found that people who indulge in cocoa drinks had better memories, higher scores in reasoning tests, and improved blood sugar control than those who did not.

Cocao contains high levels of flavonols, which are thought to protect brain cells from damage.

The average man’s judgement is so poor, he runs a risk every time he uses it.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Introducing Operation Christmas Child…

Operation Christmas Child is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project – sending gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world since 1990.

Churches and individuals up and down the country have discovered the joy and effectiveness in sending such a simple gift – both for the adults and children in the UK giving and the child overseas receiving. The churches have also often found that shoeboxes are a fantastic mission opportunity – both overseas and at home.

Overseas, children receiving shoeboxes not only encounter God’s love through the gift they receive – they also have the chance to hear the Gospel, and are invited to a follow-up programme run by the local church.

At home, shoeboxes are a great way to draw people in – through a special Shoebox Service, through packing parties for children or by becoming a Drop Off Point for local people to take their shoeboxes to.

The deadline for shoe boxes is 18 November.

Go to www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk to order or download FREE resources, including a leaflet of details as to how to pack a shoebox.

Secrets we keep from our loved ones Men hide it from women. Women hide it from men.

Thousands of pounds of debt may be building up in your home without you even knowing about it.

Men are more likely to hide debts, but when women get going, they tend to run up a higher total - in some cases as high as £20,000. It is reckoned that nationally, as much as £41 billion of debt could be hidden out there in people’s homes .

When the Co-operative bank did a recent study on the problem, it found that nearly two thirds of us have debts in the form of credit cards, over-drafts and mortgages. That is okay as long as you can manage it. But the bank warned: “Many people facing relationship breakdown may be shocked to find out that they may have responsibility for their ex-partner’s debts, even if they were not aware of them. Even if your partner dies, debts may well be passed on to you, as an individual or to the estate. “ The study also found that about fifth of all couples (21 per cent) keep their financial affairs separate from their partner’s, and that they do not have any joint accounts.

Homemade Authentic Indian Snacks Samosas Pakoras / Onion Bhajis Spring Rolls & a Variety of Curries Catering is available for Dinner Parties, Weddings, Birthdays, Office Events & more.

Free Home Delivery within 5 miles For all enquiries please contact us:

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If you cannot get your work done in a 24-hour day, then work nights!

15

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

16

Could you give a loving home to one of these dogs?

Jo Leadbetter has emailed photographs of a few of the dogs currently residing at RedgateFarm Animal Sanctuary at Shaw Lane, Markfield.

All of these charming animals are looking for a loving home to go to. Can you help?

Why not pay a visit to Redgate and make friends with one of these dogs. They have a lot of love to give!

Marvin

Lloyd

Interest in church weddings up nearly 50 per cent

Rommel

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

More couples have felt inspired to explore the option of a church wedding.

Unique visits to the Church of England’s ‘one-stop’ weddings website www.yourchurchwedding. org increased by nearly 50 per cent in 2011, to 410,044 (up from 273,746 unique visits in 2010).

This rise in interest, which follows a change in the law in 2008 to make it easier to marry in church, has also been seen at the Church of England stand at wedding shows around the country, with a noticeable increase in couples visiting the stand to ask questions about church weddings in 2011 compared to 2010.

The Revd Rosie Harper, who is part of the church weddings team, said: “Church of England weddings increased by four per cent in 2010 and it’s great to see more couples wanting to find out all about marrying in church. We’d love to be a part of their big day, so we’d encourage everyone to come and talk to us.”

Lexi

Visit the website at www.redgatefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk

Tasha

Saffron

Diesel

The AGM takes place in February. Admission for members is £1.60 (Membership £5.00) and casual guests £2.50 refreshments included. All welcome.

16th October 2012 - Not to be missed for all you Anne Halsey fans as she delivers her talk entitled ‘Rails and Rockies’, in which she describes in her own “inimitable way” a rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver and into the Rockies via the Rocky Mountaineer.

20th November 2012 – Relive the memories of the great songs of the musicals and Broadway with ‘The lives and Music of George and Ira Gershwin’ with Chris Simpson. Chris will delight us with his talk and musical recordings of this famous couple. Refreshments this month will include seasonal mince pies!

Popsy

Throw something at a child – and see what happens What would happen if you threw something at a child you know?

Could they catch it? It seems that more and more children are growing up with such a TVbased childhood that they are not developing even the basic physical skills of throwing and catching. The motor coordination of youngsters who spend more than three-quarters of their spare time in front of the box or in playing video games is up to nine times worse than their more active peers.

The study, by the University of Minho in Portugal, found that the most sedentary children are unable to balance properly, jump up and down, or hop on one leg over an obstacle. “Childhood is a critical time for the development of motor coordination skills which are essential for health and wellbeing. We know that sedentary lifestyles have a negative effect on these skills, and are associated with decreased fitness, lower self esteem and decreased academic achievement and increased obesity.”

Your worst humiliation is only someone else’s momentary entertainment.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Martinshaw School Choir Performs at Groby Street Fair

Only one week into the new academic year, the loss of all last year’s older children to Brookvale High School with the exception of one student who returned to help and very little rehearsal time, Martinshaw Primary School Choir managed to put a programme of songs together good enough to perform at Groby’s very successful 2012 Street Fair.

Under the leadership of Teacher Mrs Steph Ong and with the help of her husband John on sound, the children performed a very enthusiastic version of among other old favourites, ‘This Little Light of Mine’ and ‘Them Bones’.

Rehearsals are now under way to put a programme together to perform in support of LOROS and to fullfill other engagements over the next few months.

Owen Lawrence

Don’t Forget to Send Us Your News Write to Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT or email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk

NOW - read the magazine in page-flip style online at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

I had the right to remain silent, but I didn’t have the ability.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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First time buyer? There’s still time for the 5% deposit scheme Norman Griffiths looks at the £10m Council loan to Lloyds Bank If you saw a report on ITV last month about the Leicestershire “Lend a Hand” 5% mortgage deposit scheme you may think that you’ve left it too late to apply, as a County Council spokesman said “we are going to do £2 million pounds a year for 5 years.”

The Spotlight can confirm the good news that this is not the case and there is no annual allocation - the £10m will be deposited as and when required, and if this is within a year this is what will happen.

So if you could benefit read on for more information and contact details.

The problems of the housing market are well known. Prices shot up then prices came down, leaving some householders with mortgages greater than the value of their homes and making moving difficult or impossible. The years of lenders pushing money at you have gone and first time buyers have been left with the task of saving for larger deposits at a time when jobs are scarce. And even if you have a job and get an annual wage award it may barely keep up with inflation.

Over the past 50 years the average age of a first time buyer has risen from 24 to 30 and house buyers in the East Midlands predict they will be 39 before they can raise a deposit to secure a mortgage, according to recent research.

Another study indicates that the proportion of low and middle income earners aged under 35 and renting has more than tripled from 14% in the late 1980s to 47% now.

It is estimated that that during the past six years the number of under 35’s in this group who owned a home fell from around a half to a third, and it is likely that the reduction in first time buyers has a knock on effect for the rest of the housing market.

First time buyers in Groby First time buyers looking for a small property in Groby with prices up to £150,000 will currently find around 18 available, ranging from a one bedroomed thatched cottage to three bedroom family homes.

With a 10% deposit they will typically need a deposit of £15,000 but will also need something to cover all the additional costs

involved with buying and setting up home. Without the Bank of Mum and Dad that will be a tall order for many, and they may welcome an initiative by Leicestershire County Council and Lloyds Bank.

Under the recently announced “Lend a Hand’ scheme the Council will lend the bank up to £10 million from its reserves for up to 5 years. First-time buyers will put down a minimum 5% of the property price, and Leicestershire County Council will provide a cash backed indemnity of up to 20% as additional security. The indemnity will allow Lloyds to offer 95% mortgages up to £142,000, which would enable the purchase of a £150,000 home. The bank will return the cash at the end of the period and will pay interest annually at the 5 year commercial loan rate plus a margin of 0.70% as a premium to offset the risk of mortgage defaults and the indemnity being required.

Maximum mortgage £142,000 “The sum deposited with Lloyds acts as indemnity for the first five years of a mortgage, for the difference between the deposit put down by the applicant and 75% of the property price,” explained a County Council spokesperson.

“The maximum indemnity for any property is £30,000 but this is only when the mortgage is for the full £142,500. A £120,000 purchase price with a £6,000 (5%) deposit would need an indemnity of £24,000. It is these indemnified amounts that our cash is backing.”

Although there is a risk that defaults combined with a further fall in house prices could result in the council getting back less than its initial £10m, the 0.7% interest premium on the loan means that they won’t lose unless the defaults amount to more than £70,000.

The borrower gets a good deal from the arrangement, in addition to only having to find a 5% deposit, the rate that a mortgage holder will get from Lloyds under the Lend a Hand scheme is much lower than they would be offered without the indemnity if Lloyds had to assume the risk on the whole 95% mortgage. The rate payable will be close to the rate of a 75% mortgage.

Under the scheme Lloyds will not offer a mortgage to anyone that they would not otherwise have

offered a 95% mortgage to, but the rate charged is lower which makes the mortgage more affordable.

This is not entirely due to the lower risk that Lloyds is taking.

Stringent capital adequacy ratios force banks to deposit much higher sums with the Bank of England for 95% mortgages than they do for 75% mortgages - 8 times as much capital, according to Lloyds. The deposit and indemnity means that Lloyds does not have as much of its capital tied up earning no return and, as a result, can offer cheaper loans.”

the property ladder,” when he launched the scheme at Lloyds TSB in Loughborough.

Risks and rewards This scheme could release about £50 million of mortgage funds. If all goes well this could be a good deal for new homeowners and the local economy. Some, however, may have concerns about the council having to intervene in this way, and about loans of five times earnings rather than the traditional three and a half times. Hopefully house prices will stabilise, and the economy and the employment situation will improve so that the risk of default and repossession is not an issue. If defaults exceed £70,000 in total then council taxpayers may not get all their £10million loan back.

The council agrees that there is an element of risk which cannot be discounted, but believes it is small.

The level of default expected is as little as 1% or 2% and the council do not expect to lose the whole of the indemnity in the vast majority of cases.

Some deals already done First time buyers such as 24-yearold Christina East from Melton Mowbray are already starting to benefit from the scheme. “I’m still living at home, age 24 - it’s a bit sad, really, but I couldn’t afford a deposit of about £8,000,” she said. “I heard about this scheme on the news and got advice. I’m so impressed that I can borrow five times my salary and only have to find a £4,000 deposit.” Christina has been given a 95% mortgage, and will make repayments of £300 a month over 45 years.

The full £10 million will enable more than 400 first time buyers enter the housing market. It is estimated that it should result in a further 2,000 house moves, by freeing up houses for rent as more people buy their own homes.

The council’s acting leader, Nick Rushton, said “we know first time buyers are struggling, so it makes sense to lend the bank some of our reserves to help them get on

Who to contact If you are interested in the scheme you can get further information at any branch of Lloyds. If you don’t mind ringing a mobile some local contacts are Su Thornley 07841 491009 (Coalville & Ashby), Alpa Vadera 07584 580554 (Wigston & Fosse Road), John Sutton 07584 580542(Leicester High Street and London Road Branch).

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The older a man gets, the farther he had to walk to school as a boy .

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Field Head Ladies from the early 1950’s

8th Page advert: 95 x 65mm

YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIAN Patricia Bown of Markfield has kindly sent this lovely picture of local ladies pictured outside the Coach and Horses where the old Airbourne factory was once situated in the Skittle Alley. Recognise anyone?

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We mostly perk up on Fridays, and have a whole lot of positive feelings about weekends.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Let Santa Help Your Charity Did you know that you could use the Loughborough Santa Fun Run to help raise much needed funds for your favoured charity?

The event is now in its eighth year and will be held on Sunday 9th December running from Loughborough University into the Market Place and back. Since it started, the Santa Run has raised more than £280,000 for charities and one of the charities benefitting from this year’s event could be your own particular favourite.

All you have to do is enter a team and give the charity details including its registered number to Loughborough Rotary Club who will help you do the rest. Last year, as well as teams running and raising funds for their own charity, groups from local schools who had charity fundraising projects as part of their timetable also took part very successfully. So talk to your friends or form teacher to decide which charity you would like to help. For more information, the Santa Run website is www.santa-fun-run.co.uk and the Entry Co-ordinator, Rachel can be contacted on email carl.hughes@ hughesdrivertraining.co.uk, telephone 07856 377708.

As before, a prize will be given to the team with the most original costume and it’s a great way to help your cause whilst at the same time getting into the Christmas spirit by joining in one of Loughborough’s major festive activities. This year’s event promises to even bigger and better, with live entertainment along the route and the new Loughborough Christmas Pudding Sunday market taking place at the same time.

It is NEVER too late to exercise What are you doing today? Try and fit in some gardening, DIY, brisk walking or even housework – if you value your life.

A recent study has found that middle aged people can use their everyday activities to help guard against heart disease. Even brisk, moderate exercise can do wonders, it seems. The findings were published in the journal ‘Circulation’.

Chainsaw carving catching the eye at Beacon Hill A professional sculptor has produced a giant wood carving of an axeman which has now taken pride of place at Beacon Hill Country Park.

Peter Leadbeater’s carving is just under three metres high and has been made from cedar wood sourced locally.

It has been installed near to the Lower Car Park at the beauty spot and is one of several chainsaw carvings which Peter has produced in his role as “artist-inresidence” at Beacon Hill.

Peter says he draws his inspiration from the diverse, historic and beautiful surroundings of the Leicestershire park and has described his latest masterpiece as a celebration of the National Forest Wood Fair, an annual event which was staged back in August this year.

I am really happy to be able to add another sculpture to the growing collection of pieces at Beacon Hill,” said Peter.

For more details about the work of Peter Leadbeater please visit: www.peterleadbeater.com

Stepping Stones

Build up your experience The Stepping Stones partnership, who aim to enhance green spaces, are currently offering NCFE certified courses:

Coppice Management Saturday 20 October, 9.30am – 4pm Woodland Trust site, Ratby, Leicestershire Learn how to manage a traditional tree coppice including the best cutting methods and tools. £40 per person or £30 per person if a Stepping Stones area resident*.

Hurdle Making Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October, 9.30am – 4pm Woodland Trust site, Ratby, Leicestershire Learn the skill of making hurdle fencing from hazel poles woven together, which can be used as attractive garden boundaries or features. £80 per person or £60 per person if a Stepping Stones area resident*. *A Stepping Stones area map is on website when booking you will be advised if applicable.

Discount available for those receiving Jobseekers Allowance (proof required).

Booking essential.

Call 0116 305 7221 to book a place or email steppingstones@ leics.gov.uk. www.leics.gov.uk/stepping_ stones

The thing I enjoy about most waking up an hour early is completely wasting an extra hour of my day.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Call for ‘emergency foster carers’ to come forward Giving vulnerable children a safe place to stay at just 30 minutes’ notice would fluster many people - but for Dave and Janet, it’s a way of life.

The Ameys foster young people who need a place to stay at short notice and over the past 20 years, have given a home to a staggering 350 children.

Known as ‘emergency foster carers’, they perform a vital role and Leicestershire County Council is urging anyone who is interested in the job to pick up the phone and find out more.

Carers work with the council’s out-of-hours social work team and need to be able to look after a child for one or two nights. Young people can suddenly come into care because of family illness, a break down at home or simply need a period of cooling off time.

In the last 12 months, just under 30 young people needed emergency foster placements.

Janet, who lives in Birstall, said: “Being an emergency foster carer involves looking after a young person who has perhaps had an argument at home or is experiencing a crisis for one or two nights.

“The role gets in your blood and we both enjoy it and get a lot out of it. It’s satisfying when you see the young people go knowing that you’ve helped to look after them in a time of great need.

“A young lad who came to stay last week pulled up a chair, had dinner with us and joined in with the family.”

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the children and young people’s service, said: “Our foster carers quite simply transform children’s lives by giving safety, security and normality to vulnerable children and we value their contribution enormously.

“Fostering is one of the most challenging but also rewarding things you can do and we’re urging anyone who is interested to find out more.”

The council is also keen to recruit foster carers to provide short and long term homes for children.

Foster carers are also being sought to take part in a new scheme called ‘remand fostering’. This is a very rewarding way of supporting young people who may have made a mistake and need support to get back on the right track, and helps young people who have been through the court system and are not allowed to return home. Having a short term foster home until the matter has been dealt with in the court avoids them having to go to a children’s home or youth detention centre.

It takes between four and six months for new foster carers to be approved.

To find out more, please visit www.spaceforachild.com or call 0116 305 3051 or freephone 0800 587 7767.

If Plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. Keep calm.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Bronze Medal Achieved At La Manga

What a fantastic performance this year by the team, losing only one match in the group to Holland, who pulled out all the stops to clinch a 3-2 win in the first day of competition.

Holland being eventual group winners played Italy in the final: Result being Italy Gold, Holland Silver and Great Britain (Leicestershire) Bronze.

Holland was the only defeat Leicestershire GB had during the whole competition. Portugal and Spain seemed poor losers fielding strong players and finding it difficult to accept the eventual 4-1 defeats, refusing to shake hands at the end of three matches, two singles and one doubles.

In the Play off for Bronze, we secured a win with the other group runner up in Italy’s group, Belgium. With Great Britain and Belgium Poised for battle for the remaining medal and third place, torrential rain hit La Manga on Friday causing flash flooding. A back log on play prevailed, we eventually finished after eleven hours of interruptions to secure Third place Bronze medal with our opposition.

The Bronze Medal Great Britain Team Winners Are: Leon Stewart-Hillard, Steve Brett, Jon Ison and Tim Davies.

3rd Churches Together in Groby

Urban Saints is held during term time, at the URC chapel: games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions.

- for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45pm, 6.30pm or 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30pm

Service of Remembrance Sunday 11th Nov 10.50am

at St. Philip & St. James (venue and time to be

Fair Cuppa:

an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall.

Every Thursday, 10.30-12.00 For further information please see websites and church magazines St. Philip and St. James www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090

Catch meets for play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent or carer.

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

United Reformed Church www.grobyurc.com Revd Sue McKenzie 232 1733 Children/Youth Worker Deb Goodhead 07730 596309

3RD SUNDAY EVENING IS ON 21st OCT at 6.30pm Tackling faith in a modern style

Today is one of those days where I wish I could restore myself to the factory settings.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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The only opera singer in the village?

Groby-based opera singer and singing teacher Andrew Ashwin shares some experiences of his life on the front line of the classical music industry.

A wry smile spread across my face last month as I jumped into a taxi outside my house at 4:15 in the morning, on my way to Leicester Bus Station.

This was the start of a very long journey to sing concerts in the Ukraine and eventually Mexico, taking in the joys of both Heathrow and Gatwick airports at various points!

My life as a professional opera singer is exciting and full of interesting challenges; the days of “stand and sing” are well and truly over, as directors from other fields such as film and theatre start to take on opera. For example, Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame has just directed his first opera in Belgium.

I’m constantly kept on my toes, and I have to stay fit and healthy to cope with these new demands. Making classical music and opera more accessible, and breaking down the old barriers, is at the top of the agenda for the opera world.

I’m lucky enough to travel all around the world as part of my work. Over the years my wife and I have lived in Switzerland and Germany, but now we are well and truly settled in Groby.

We love it here and are very happy bringing up our two young daughters in the village.

I’m also a classical singing teacher, here in Groby, so if you are interested in taking lessons, I’d be delighted to hear from you. My teaching website is www.vocalexcellence.co.uk.

Due to my busy performing schedule, I only teach adults; children need regularity and routine to make good progress, but adults are much more able to improve and sing well based on a more flexible teaching schedule.

When the sound of music can be dangerous It has kept many a lonely, bored motorist happy on a long journey, but when you sing along to the radio or to a favourite CD , you may increase your chance of being in a car crash.

A study at Monash University in Melbourne has found that singing while you drive slows down your reaction times in hazardous situations. Singing can also cause you to move about in your lane.

My girlfriend thinks that I’m a stalker. Well, she’s not exactly my girlfriend yet.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby WI News

from Evelyn & Margaret

We are currently into the third month of our 24th.

Year, which started in July and will run until the end of June 2013.

T

here were about a dozen ladies from Groby who set out on another Derbyshire Walk.

Yet again we had another dry and actually sunny day. Led by my local Calke Abbey friends we set forth to try out the new tramway which is more or less completed now. Actually I have done this walk on the partly completed tramway before so I could possible lead but as my friends will tell you, we usually finish going up the garden path. Anyway the tramway is great, of course you have to walk through some fields but there is no need to go on any road. The only worrying part is that it will become too popular, although cyclists are banned. We did though a detour around Dimminsdale Wood which is a nature reserve owned by Severn Trent Water.

As all around Calke, limestone and lead mining took place in the l8th and l9th Centuries. In Spring it is a mass of snowdrops and later bluebells. We passed the Laundry Pond. This is where in centuries past, local women from a few remote cottages, which are no longer there, did the washing for locals. Back again onto the tramway whose roots go back to the early 1800s. As we passed a herd of cows, one was actually in the process of giving birth, we ladies felt for it. Then into the Restaurant at Calke for a welcome cuppa and an all day breakfast cob, blow the diet.

I know this is nothing to do with the WI but on my last Wednesday at Calke, we had quite a few visitors from France and Germany. All went well with my explanations except for one German couple who could speak little English, you can guess how much German I know.

Anyway, in my room there is an earth closet (it’s also known as a ‘Thunderbox’). Well, considering none of us could communicate we finished up laughing our heads off at my effort to explain it, mostly sign language. What made me refer to this is that when walking around the likes of the Laundry Pond, it really comes home to you how folk lived a couple of centuries ago. The Pond meant hard work for common people, whilst the earth closet was the equivalent of en-suite, if you see what I mean.

Care Homes Our speaker booked for the September meeting was unavailable so Scott Gallacher, a Financial Adviser, stepped into the breach to inform us of the facts, figures and pitfalls of providing for

Bradgate Lions Club News

our possible future needs in Care Homes etc.

Margaret Gamble got off on the wrong foot initially; Scott was fast being swallowed up in the crowd of children in the dancing class going home and our members arriving.

She enquired if he was picking up little girls or was he the WI Speaker? Never mind MG, I think he understood.

I fear that quite a number of our members have now reached the point of no return. If we have not already made adequate provision, then it is too late. The options seem to be a residential home with no nursing provided, approx. £23,250 per year, a nursing home at approx £37,500 per year, or care workers assisting in your own home which does not come cheap.

We are all living too long creating an unprecedented financial timebomb. Previously, children were able to give financial support to parents, whereas they are now quite likely to be pensioners themselves with their own care problems looming on the horizon.

The State will step in if there are no funds available but the limit allowed would only cover secondrate care. He did explain other methods of pre-planning income in retirement by virtue of various Trusts. However, these could be challenged by the Authorities if they were deemed to be specifically set up to protect assets when health was apparently becoming a problem.

On his swiftly drawn pie-charts the portions of income, expenses etc. got smaller and smaller. Whatever happened to the promise given to us by the politicians ‘care from the cradle to the grave’? Fortunately, the ‘Grim Reaper’ has been thwarted, the rule of a ‘three score years and ten’ lifespan no longer applies. A Commission was to be

set up to look into methods of helping with this problem such as ‘Keep the house, pay Government back later.’ To me, this seems to amount to the same thing. What a surprise, the Commission has been delayed!

No reflection on Scott, he told us as it was. I usually go home from W.I. with a feel-good feeling, but at eighty-five years old, to lift the doom and gloom, I felt it necessary to sit up and watch some recorded comedy before retiring for the night. It was a double whammy for me, in addition to reporting to the Spotlight, I had already volunteered to give the vote of thanks. A sense of humour was hard to come by.

Pie Night Another trip to Beaumanor Hall, Friday night is their Pie Night. It was a really good “blow out”, well I thought so. The room was buzzing, everyone seemed to enjoy it. I went with my friend, she is the one who was locked in years ago and had to get an Army Officer to rescue her, she said it brought back memories!!

Next meeting Next month’s meeting is “Two Table Designs for Christmas”, a demonstration given by Lisa Clarridge.

Lisa is a well known local gardener and I know many of us are looking forward to it. The meeting is on Thursday l8th October at 7.30pm at the Village Hall.

By the way the November meeting for those interested is in the Social Club, on the 15th November, the Hall will be in use for Elections or some such thing.

It should liven up the AGM as the only drinks available will be at the bar.

Evelyn Ward and Margaret Gamble

During this period we will be attempting to raise funds in support of mainly local charities, as we have done over the previous years, raising over £145,000.00 since we formed in 1988.

Although we a part of the world’s largest service organisation, Lions Clubs International, with over 1.45 million members worldwide, spread over 45,000 clubs in over 200 countries, we try to concentrate our efforts, mainly in helping our local deserving causes such as Air Ambulance, Coping with Cancer, LOROS, Rainbows Children’s Hospice and also national charities like Children in Need.

This current year we will be raising funds with bucket collections at local stores, Santa & Easter Float Collections around villages such as Anstey, Ratby and Kirby Muxloe, A Race Night in Botcheston, and a St, Georges Celebration Brass Band Concert in Markfield, as well as attending local village Galas and Fetes’.

We also carry out welfare commitments in the area such as taking disadvantaged Children to Ashby Statutes Fair and Christmas Ward Visits to Glenfield Hospital with a Choir and gifts for the patients.

Our members enjoy a very active social life with monthly visits to the theatre, pub meals etc; and we have already enjoyed a River/ Canal cruise + picnic lunch, and a Garden Party with BBQ in the last two months.

Bradgate Lions Club meets twice a month on the second and fourth Thursday evenings. The first meeting is a business meeting held at Forest Hills Golf Club, Botcheston, were the clubs affairs are discussed and the second is our social event, venues for which vary.

The area covered by our club, (but not restricted to), encompasses Anstey, Botcheston, Desford, Glenfield, Groby, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester Forest East, Markfield, Newtown Linford, and Ratby.

We should like to welcome new members, both Male and Female into our club, with no restriction on age over 21.

For further information please ‘phone the membership officer, Roger Gamble (01530)242912.

Roger Gamble

As a young child my mother told me I could be anyone I wanted to be. Turns out the police call this “Identity Theft”

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

DON’T BE ALONE CHRISTMAS DAY

C o m e a n d Jo i n u s a t

ST MARY’S CHURCH ROOMS, ANSTEY

For

DINNER AND FESTIVITIES (TRANSPORT CAN BE ARRANGED)

Free of charge

TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE RING

01530 243445-Kerry Sharpe or 0116 2368811-Julie Ford If anyone would like to volunteer or make a contribution please also contact above Supported by Leicestershire County Council Community Forum

People who wait 4 hours to reply to my text with “lol” should be shot.

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby Gardening Society News The Village Show As mentioned in the last edition of Spotlight, here are details of the show which took place on 18th August:Young People’s Section

Class 59: A Creature 1st

ABOVE: Best Exhibit in the Handicrafts Section: Tony Mellor

Philip Chick

2nd Helen Chick 3rd Arun Stokes

Class 60: Fairy Cakes 1st Isaac Mwenga 2nd Hope Mwenga Class 61: A Decorated stone 1st Hope Mwenga 2nd Isaac Mwenga Class 63: Handwriting 1st Anya Stokes 2nd Arun Stokes Special Prizes Class 56: Sponsored by the Allotment Society

Jane Marston: A Vegetable Tray Class 57: Mixed Garden Fruit Molly Matson

Best Exhibits

Classes 1-19: Floral section Kathy Griffiths Classes 20-28: Container Plants section Elaine Waterfield Classes 29-55: Fruit & Vegetable Section Philippa Brown Classes 65-68: Flower Arrangements Section Janet Walne Classes 69-81: Cookery & Preserves Section Jean Jarram Classes 83-90: Handicrafts Section Tony Mellor Classes 59-64: Young Person’s Section Philip Chick This award was The Parish Council Young Person’s Cup

LEFT: Visitors to the show enjoying the floral displays Cups & Trophies Croxtall Shield: Most points in the Floral Section Rosemary Chapman

Quick change!

Callis Shield: Most points in Container Section Rosemary Chapman

Thanks are due to Beverley, Helen and Graham who superbly stepped into the breach with a “Quiz and Cake” evening.

Jarram Shield: Most points in Fruit & Vegetable Section Philippa Brown Gamble Shield: Most points in Flower Arrangements Section Janet Walne Firth Shield: Most points in Cookery & Handicrafts Section Kay Blick

Our September meeting programme had to be hastily changed when we sadly learned that our scheduled speaker, Derek Ford, had been taken seriously ill.

The Fish and Chip Supper This social evening is planned for October 25th and the usual signing board is available.

Please note that this date is NOT the one in the 2012 programme. Give Alvar a ring if you cannot attend our meetings, but would like to be included.

Important!!

Will members please note that the December meeting has been brought forward by one week. It will now be on December 6th NOT December 13th.

Forth coming events

Richardson Plate: The winner of class 58 (bowl of mixed fruit) Sadhana Stokes

October 25th

Fish & Chip Supper

November 8th

Crevice Gardening

D. A. Colledge Shield: The winner of class 82 (a refreshing drink) Alvar Johnson

December 6th

The Fireman’s Tale and Christmas party.

January 10th

the A.G.M.

GGS Cup: Best Exhibit in Show (Cup & £5) Tony Mellor Balderston Trophy: Groby W.I. member with most points in Show Kay Blick W. I. Trophy: Groby W.I. member with 2nd most points in Show Ellen Whitelegg The Morris Cup: The Most points in Show Rosemary Chapman Parish Council Cup: The second most points in Show Alvar Johnson

We always welcome new members and casual guests at our monthly meetings that are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill.

Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 0116 287 7870) or E mail alvar3@talktalk.net

Alvar Johnson

Brain Teaser Answers Overloaded Bridge Since the bridge is 4 kilometres long, the halfway point would be 2 kilometres. The 18-wheeler would have used much more than 30g of fuel to drive 2 kilometres.

Unusual paragraph The letter e is the most common letter in the English language, yet it never appears in the entire paragraph

I like to stop the microwave with one second to go; it makes me feel like a bomb defusal expert.

8 BRADGATE ROAD, ANSTEY, LEICESTER, LE7 7AA

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Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Fireworks Spooktacular Saturday 3rd November 2012 from 5pm

band with JLS tribute The Fores

- Local indie band

Tickets: Advance £5 Gate £7 Under 3s free Family of 4 (2+2): £18 PRE BOOKING ONLY

Snibston, Ashby Road, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 3LN tel 01530 278444 email snibston@leics.gov.uk

www.snibston.com

Methinks that your problem is low self-esteem. It’s very common among losers.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Jottings

News in Brief with Norman Griffiths

Parish Council vacancies Following the resignation of two of the members co-opted to the Parish Council last year there is the opportunity for new members to fill the seats, either by an election or co-option. Co-option is where the existing Council members decide who will join the council instead of the electorate.

The two vacancies will be filled by election if any ten Local Government electors for Groby Ward submit a written request to that effect. If no such request is made the vacancies may be filled by the Parish Council by co-option.

Any request for an election to fill the vacancies must be in writing and must reach the Returning Officer, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Council Offices, Argents Mead, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 1BZ, not later than 23rd October 2012.

Improvements at the Stamford Arms and Groby Club Earlier this year the new landlord of the Stamford Arms said that he would like to undertake improvements to the pub and Everards Brewery have now put in a planning application to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Since 1921 the brewery has used the premises as a public house, though formally it was a home to the Everards Family.

The proposals are to centralise the rear entrance from the car park relocating the catering kitchen to the single storey section of the building. Pizza lovers will be pleased to hear that a new pizza oven and servery will be installed.

The existing public bar area is to be split between Dining Area and Meeting Room with the Disabled and Ladies Toilets relocated and the Gents Toilet to be altered & refurbished.

A new opening is to be created within the Lounge Bar external wall leading out on to the patio. The rear patio is to be increased using block pavers and flagstones with timber sleepers to form planters.

The front elevation patio is to have new flagstone pavers and inset grassed area with cobbled surround. The patio perimeter

is to have Black Wrought Iron bollards with chain link between.

Meanwhile the latest stage in the makeover of the Groby ExServicemen’s Club on Leicester Road is the refurbishment of the concert room. A new stepped entrance has been created, the seating area improved and the stage and dance floor moved.

Bloor’s appeal set for December The appeal lodged against the decision of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to refuse planning permission for 91 dwellings on land next to Groby cemetery is likely to be held in December. All representations made to the council in respect of the application have been passed on to the Planning Inspectorate, but if you wish to comment or modify your previous comments there is still time to do so. Comments must be received by the Inspectorate by 1st November.

You can comment online at www. planningportal.gov.uk/pcs or by emailing teamp7@pins.gsi.gov. uk. You can alternatively send 3 copies to Debbie Smith, the Planning Inspectorate, 3/06 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. With an address like that clearly no-one has told the Planning Inspectorate that post codes were supposed to make life easier.

Electoral arrangements review Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is undertaking a community governance review of the area, an exercise where the parish electoral arrangements are reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate and relevant. Ten years has elapsed since the last one and government guidance is that it is good practice to conduct a review every 10 to 15 years.

A community governance review considers such things as • creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes; • the naming of parishes and the style of new parishes; • the electoral arrangements for parishes; • council size; • the number of councillors to

be elected to the council, and grouping parishes under a common parish council or degrouping parishes.

All submissions from the first stage of the consultation ended on 20 July 2012 and recommendations on the parish electoral arrangements within the borough have been set out. The council proposes no change to the existing arrangements for Groby, as only one submission was received and the respondent was happy with the current arrangements.

Electors and parish councils have until Friday December 28th to comment. Further information on the consultation is available at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ communitygovernance At the last review 10 years ago it was proposed that Groby parish be divided so that the existing Fieldhead parish ward would be transferred to Markfield, but the idea was dropped. Borough Councillor Collins, in a letter to the Prime Minister, objected to the proposal, stating that “Fieldhead was once rejected by Markfield and has no affinity to that Parish.”

There are sixteen seats on the Parish Council, 13 for Groby and 3 for Field Head. For some, presumably historic reason, there are three times the number of voters per seat in Groby compared to Field Head. In Groby there are 433 voters for every seat, but for Field Head there are only 156 voters. Is there a reader with a long memory who can explain the difference?

•

Cemetery information pack When you are young, getting old seems to be something that happens to other people. But too soon the hair starts to grey and the joints start to ache. There may be thoughts about whether the home will eventually have to be sold to pay care costs. And despite our longer life expectancy nowadays you know you are starting to look your age when people ask if you’ve made a will, signed a Power of Attorney and would prefer a burial instead of a cremation. By thinking ahead the stress of bereavement and grief can be made just a little easier, so it’s this last issue which

the Parish Council is trying to address with a new information pack which will be available at the Parish office at the Village Hall.

The Parish Council manages Groby cemetery, so the pack contains details of the current charges. There’s also useful information about grave ownership, the cemetery regulations and frequently asked questions about memorials. Even if you haven’t made your mind up about buying a plot at the cemetery there are two useful leaflets ‘Questions People Ask About Burial and Cremation,’ and ‘What to do When Someone Dies’ included. If you have an internet connection at home you will also be able to access these leaflets and the rest of the information pack online at www.groby.com, the council’s website.

Library diary dates The October coffee morning at Groby library will be held on Saturday 20th. And don’t forget that on November 17th you’ll be able to browse the book sale as well as having a coffee and chat.

Future of Groby Street Fair Groby Parish Council is to ask to meet the organisers of Groby Street Fair to discuss the future of the event. The fair is burdened with a cost of £2500 for the closure of Markfield Road for the day, and in the absence of a Lottery Fund grant this year had to introduce an admission charge of £1. At the October council meeting members were agreed that the fair was an asset to the village and should continue, though there were different views about the best way to support the organisers.

On the one hand it was thought that it might be possible to give help towards the cost of the road closure, ensuring the fair could continue on Markfield Road, whilst on the other the possibility was considered of offering council open space so that the event could be relocated. This might enable more dedicated parking as well as allowing the event to grow and diversify. Similar events, it was suggested included such things as a fair or vintage car rally.

I keep getting the urge to purchase a big white bear from the Arctic, My doctor says I may have ‘Buy Polar’ disorder

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

30

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Letter from Uncle Eustace On the challenge of hitting 11 o’clock precisely....

The Rectory St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren It is a great shame that your church doesn’t have chandeliers – although in your low-ceilinged converted cinema, any chandelier more than a few feet tall would also be embedded in your floor carpeting.

But I find that there is nothing like watching the standard bearers on Remembrance Sunday parading up the aisle with their flags and getting them caught up in our brass candelabra.

One year, the procession ground to a halt while a bearer fought to retrieve his flag, and was obliged to leave it flying in the centre of the church while he presented me with an empty pole. I always feel obliged to tell parishioners the previous week, that since all the candelabra will inevitably be sent spinning, not to stare at them, or they may leave the church hypnotised. On the other hand, Miss Simpson generally leaves the church looking like that.

Major Hastings always arrives bejewelled with so many medals that every time he kneels for prayer, it sounds as if he is taking the collection. Their weight increases his stoop by at least ten degrees, to the point where some feel we should support him with a personal flying buttress.

Since the trumpeter playing the Last Post can be of varying quality, your idea of broadcasting it from London into your church is inspired. However, your worries about whether your radio will be good enough need not trouble you. If you tell your congregation that they are about to hear the broadcast silence and you then simply not switch the thing on, no one will be able to tell the slightest difference whether the silence is being broadcast or not. In fact, they will even congratulate you on hitting 11am at exactly the right moment.

I always use subterfuge; I have the church clock disconnected and then when we reach the time for silence, irrespective of the true time, I get a churchwarden to toll the bell eleven times. This way, I have apparently come to the exact moment without a hitch for the last 30 years.

You will also find that preaching about warfare and of man’s inhumanity to man will give you greater insights into the working of your church council.

The only difference is that on committees – sadly – the use of machine guns is rather frowned on.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street.

T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Sat 13th Oct: THE DIRTY WATER BAND playing for our presentation evening in support of ‘Help the Heroes’. Starts 8.30pm Fri 26th Oct: CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY with DJ CHICK - 6pm to 8pm.

Sat 27th Oct: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL with MR ROKARD and special Guset Stars from the 70s.

Sat 17th Nov: THE DIRTY WATER BAND backing MR SIMON HENLEY as Elvis Presley.

Also their own electric and acoustic set.

Coming Soon: TOM’S MUSIC QUIZ, and female vocalist HOLLY. Tel: Karen on 01530 230631 for more details.

We Also Have Bingo Every Tuesday Evening All Welcome www.myspace.com/thorntonclub The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:Sats 6th October and 20th October with ’King of the Road’.

Saturday 27th October - KRISIS - One of the Midlands’ top covers bands.

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

Sat 13th Oct: PHIL CARR - male vocalist - Singing songs you will remember Sat 10th Nov: THE DEL SHARONS - female group - Rock & Roll covers plus other songs The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield.

T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN Saturday 6th Oct: MIA & THE MOON - As Seen on the XFACTOR! Tuesday 30th Oct: Come along for a TAROT READING - £15

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm.

Sunday 11th Nov: WEDDING FAYRE 11am-3pm Tribute Nights: Fri 12th Oct: MOTOWN & SOUL Fri 26th Oct: ROBBIE WILLIAMS Fri 9th Nov: CHER Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth.

Tel. 01530 230205 New members welcome.

Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.00 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission.

Sat 13th Oct: 60s & 70s DISCO in support of MacMillan Nurses.

Free entry - 7.30pm start.

Sat 20th Oct: SEQUENCE DANCE - £1 entry - all welcome.

Sat 27th Oct: HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS FAMILY DISCO. Prizes for the best fancy dress - adults and childrens. Free entry.

Starts 7.30pm.

Fri 16th Nov: 1940s NIGHT with live act on stage at 8pm (doors open at 7pm). Entry is £5.

ASK ABOUT OUR FREE ROOM HIRE FOR THOSE SPECIAL FAMILY OCCASIONS. For further details, tel: 01530 230205 Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Sat 13th Oct: CHRISSY Fri 19th Oct: MIKE BLISS Sat 20th Oct: VICE VERSA Fri 26th Oct: SAVANNAH Sat 27th Oct: DOUBLE XL Fri 2nd Nov: MICHAEL JONES Sat 3rd Nov: EXIT Fri 9th Nov: FALL GIZE Sat 10th Nov: LEE RICHARDS

Send details of your LOCAL pub and club entertainments and we’ll include them in this column FREE! Amazing!

My auntie Marge has been ill for so long we changed her name to “ I cant believe she’s not better “

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

31

Now under the management of Sevenoaks Garden Centre

CAFE SEVEN Open for Breakfasts, Lunches, Afternoon Teas & Traditional Sunday Roasts Open 9am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm Sunday (Bank Holiday Mondays 9am-5pm)

CAFE SEVEN is at Sevenoaks Garden Centre, Groby Lane, Newtown Linford, Leics. LE6 0HG Tel: 01530 245123 or 01530 249815

rd Search Puzzle

http://puzzle

Famous Battle WORDSEARCH Win a Sunday Lunch Main Course for Two at CAFE 7, Within Sevenoaks Nursery, Groby Lane, Newtown Linford.

E H A S T I N G S O L L E D G

V X Q A H V I E B P L O G L A

X F Y N A C O Z S A X C A E L

D Z Y J R N R B E A D H O I L

Y C E R C U U D I C Y V M F I

L I T T L E B I G H O R N N P

T F I R D S E K R O R C A E O

Y Y M D E I Y O C V N G L D L

W A Q I X D M B D O I T E D I

E W O C C A G A E N N Q E O X

O D M S L U C E C S S N S L W

G I T A G X K O H A A D A F P

P M E P Y J U G F I S N D B V

K H H Q D R E I Z U L F I V N

T T K G T C I K G O X L I B K

If you can find 12 FAMOUS BATTLES in the Wordsearch grid, you could win a MEAL FOR TWO at CAFE SEVEN, within Sevenoaks Garden Centre, Near Groby Pool.

All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 WELL KNOWN BATTLES. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your marked entry forms to: LET BATTLE COMMENCE, Groby & Field Head Spotlight, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 7th November 2012. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the CAFE SEVEN voucher. Good luck!

Here are the FAMOUS BATTLES you have to find: AGINCOURT • BANNOCKBURN • CRECY EDGEHILL • FLODDEN FIELD • GALLIPOLI HASTINGS • LITTLE BIGHORN • MIDWAY NASEBY • RORKES DRIFT • THE ALAMO Name: .................................................................................................

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

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last issue’s Wordsearch competition was: MRS J CARNEY of Leicester Road,Groby. You win a Sunday Lunch Main Course for Four at Cafe Seven, Sevenoaks Garden Centre, near Groby Pool.

Congratulations! Your prize will be with you soon.

I’ve just won our local Iron Man competition, 20 shirts in half an hour.

32

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Lost At Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries

By Jon Ronson Jon Ronson has been on patrol with America’s real-life superheroes and to a UFO convention in the Nevada desert with Robbie Williams.

He’s interviewed a robot and asked her if she has a soul. He’s travelled to the Alaskan theme town of North Pole (where every day is Christmas Day) to investigate a high school mass-murder plot. He’s met a man who tried to split the atom in his kitchen and another who’s preparing to welcome the aliens to earth. Jon Ronson is fascinated by madness, strange behaviour and the human mind, and he has spent his life exploring mysterious events and meeting extraordinary people.

Collected here from various sources (including the Guardian and GQ) are the best of his adventures. Frequently hilarious, sometimes disturbing, always entertaining, these compelling stories of the chaos that lies on the fringe of our daily lives will have you wondering just what we’re capable of.

AMAZON PRICE: £8.99 (Hardcover)

The Man Who Forgot His Wife

By John O’Farrell Lots of husbands forget things: they forget that their wife had an important meeting that morning; they forget to pick up the dry cleaning; some of them even forget their wedding anniversary.

But Vaughan has forgotten he even has a wife. Her name, her face, their history together, everything she has ever told him, everything he has said to her - it has all gone, mysteriously wiped in one catastrophic moment of memory loss. And now he has rediscovered her - only to find out that they are getting divorced.

The Man Who Forgot His Wife is the funny, moving and poignant story of a man who has done just that. And who will try anything to turn back the clock and have one last chance to reclaim his life.

AMAZON PRICE: £5.19

Ecommerce Masterplan

By Chloe Thomas eCommerce is rapidly becoming the biggest player in the market-place – the overheads can be low, the rewards huge.

But very few businesses seem to really know what they’re doing, and most operate on a sometimes hit, mostly miss approach. ‘eCommerce MasterPlan’ provides a clear, systematic analysis of what works and what doesn’t for each of the seven different kinds of eCommerce businesses Chloe Thomas has identified. This enables the reader to identify their type of business and select exactly the right mix of marketing methods to minimise risk and maximise reward.

Sensible, straightforward, with practical exercises to apply all the way through, and hosts of extension material available online to ensure that information is kept entirely up to date, this book is a must-read for any marketing manager or small business owner.

During her career Chloe has been involved in the marketing of over 50 eCommerce businesses, selling everything from holidays to books. This wide experience includes several start ups as well as helping high street names expand into eCommerce.

Chloe has discovered that there are some clear structures which, when put in place, lead invariably to success. It is those structures, and how to apply them, which she unfolds and explains in her book ‘eCommerce MasterPlan’. ‘eCommerce MasterPlan’ (£19.99) is published by Kernu Books and is available from Amazon, all good book shops and via eCommerceMasterPlan.com at 30% off.

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Keep warm with community grants Organisations are being offered the chance to keep their community venues cosy and reduce their energy bills at the same time.

Leicestershire County Council is offering Shire Community Climate Change Grants of up to £5,000 for organisations to improve energy efficiency in their community buildings.

Charities, faith groups, village halls, sport / community building committees and parish councils can apply for the money.

The grants could cover projects such as the installation of energy efficiency measures including new heating systems, roof or cavity wall insulation, water conversion systems and solar panels.

They are also available for community events or projects that promote awareness of the issues of climate change and training courses relating to energy efficiency and climate change Richard Blunt, County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Action, said: “Communities across Leicestershire have already benefited from these grants which help them reduce their carbon emissions, keep their meeting venues cosier and cut their energy bills.

“Now we would like to hear from more community organisations that are interested in finding out more about this energy saving scheme.”

To apply and for full details including examples of projects that have benefited from a SHIRE Community Climate Change grant go to: www.leics.gov.uk/climatechange_grants Alternatively call Nailesh Ramaya on 0116 3058111 or Di Braker on 0116 3057082. *To apply for a practical project, applicants must first either have undertaken an energy audit or an Energy Performance Certificate.

The water’s so hard where we live, the plumbers have to go round in pairs.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

Ann Duggan - timeless music and vintage clothes Norman Griffiths finds the local singer has another interest

W

hen visitors to the Stamford Arms enjoyed the performances by the Ann Duggan Band they probably never realised that, although her accent is a giveaway that she is originally from Birmingham, Annie lives just up the road at Markfield.

She describes her music as a seamless mix adding country, folk and rock, played with a powerful combination of energy, melody and lyricism. Although an artiste most readers won’t have heard of she commands respect in the music industry. “I had never heard of Ann before and it was a rare treat to see a fine artist for the first time,” reviewer Bob Jones wrote about one of her Birmingham performances last year.

A childhood which had always been involved with music gave way to a “normal” job, marriage and a young daughter by her late teens. But 20 years later she had a strong feeling that she should be trying something else, and a chance meeting with Norfolk based songwriter Colin Granger re-sparked her interest in performance. After performing a few shows with Colin and getting a good response Ann realised she could have something special.

The collaboration provides Annie with a unique source of original quality material. “Everything has changed for me,” she reflects. “I gave up a secure career, parted (amicably) from my husband, and took to the road as a musician.

Sometimes I think I’m more like a character in one of Colin’s songs than the person that sings them!”

She has been overwhelmed by the positive response and support she has received across the UK and in the United States which she puts this down to the interactivity of her gigs and the enthusiasm the band carry no matter what situation, adding “You could be playing to two people or 2,000 it doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy what you’re doing.”

Annie loves vintage clothes,too.

But in addition to her love of singing Annie the child also loved dressing up. “Some of my happiest early memories were of coming from behind the settee in my Nan’s house pretending to put on a show and singing away to anyone who was in the house that would

listen,” she recalled. “If I was good, a special treat would be to go into the cupboard where my Aunt’s bits and pieces were kept and allowed to look in wonder at the old film star books, clothes and accessories.

My Aunt was a model and a buyer for Rackhams so she always had the very best in what was in fashion at the time. It all seemed so glamorous and grown up.”

This has developed into another business interest – buying and selling vintage clothes and accessories at Antique Markets and Vintage Fairs with Judy, her best friend for many years, who also shares this great passion. “I buy and sell all types of Vintage,” said Annie, “anything from the 1920’s up to

the 80’s. I mainly like the 40’s and fifties fashion and there is a young following for this.”

She will be on her stall at the Strictly Vintage Market in Leicester Market on October 27th and would be pleased to hear from any readers who have any vintage items that they wish to sell, or you can call her on 07989 677225. If her music is more your scene then you can catch her at the Musician in Leicester on November 7th or Barwell Folk Club a week later on November 14th. Most of this information has come from her website http://www.annduggan. co.uk, where you’ll find more on her music and vintage clothes.

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

33

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-October 2012 • Tel: 01530 244069

34

Crime Figures for Sept 2012 The following incidents were reported to the Police in the local area during September 2012.

Description

Groby

House Burglaries Actual: Windsor Avenue, Pine Tree Avenue, Sycamore Drive, Bailey View Attempted: Garage, Shed, Outbuilding Burglaries Actual: Quorndon Rise Attempted:

4 Actual 0 Attempted

Field Head 0

1 Actual 0 Attempted

0

Theft of Motor Vehicle:

0

0

Theft from Motor Vehicle:

0

0

Damage to Motor Vehicle: Leicester Road

1

0

Non-Domestic Assaults

0

0

Assault - Harassment

0

0

Crimes That Don’t Affect Residents Homes or Cars

13

2

TOTAL (Actual)

19

2

TOTAL (Attempted)

0

0

Theft: 0 / Damage: 2 / Other: 11

Groby NHW Calendar of Events 2012

National Trust Leicester Association NEWS

Last month I mentioned the National Trust properties in London. Continuing with this theme the NT has just announced an extension to their National Trust Partner scheme with a selection of small independent heritage attractions in London. NT members receive a 50% discount on the admission charge at each property.

Groby Village Hall, New room to the rear of the main hall Thursday 6th December 2012 at 7.30pm PC 0918 Ned Kelly • Sergeant Matthew Trott Local crime news in more detail is available at www.groby.org.uk Information supplied by Martin Cartwright, Secretary - Groby Branch Neighbourhood Watch Tel: 0116 2874500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 Email: neighbourhoodwatch@appliancehome.co.uk In An Emergency dial 999.

Contact the local police on 0116 222-2222.

Thought For The Month Rewarding action When you don’t feel like making the effort, that’s when making the effort will make the biggest difference for you. Instead of giving in to negative momentum, interrupt it.

The best way to feel like doing it, is to do it. Step beyond your negative feelings and reward yourself with some positive action.

Feeling sorry for yourself will just give you more reasons to feel sorry for yourself. Ignore the temptation for self pity and embrace the opportunities for immediate self improvement.

Your attitude is not somebody else’s fault. Your attitude is yours to choose, so choose an attitude that will empower and propel you.

The way to feel better is to do better. The way to do better is with positive, effective action.

Pay attention to your feelings, but don’t use them as excuses. Be effective, get it done, and see how great you feel.

Ralph Marston Copyright 2012 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. Used by permission.

Originally published in “The Daily Motivator” at www.dailymotivator.com

The Partner attractions are: Leighton House Museum, Holland Park Road; The Foundling Museum, Brunswick Sq; The Fan Museum, Crooms Hill, Greenwich; Dr Johnsons House, Gough Sq; Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising, Colville Mews; Hall Palace & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley; Keats House, Heath Hurst Road, Hampstead and the Old Operating Theatre Museum, St Thomas Street. Most of these attractions are open throughout the year but opening days vary.

Most NT properties close at the end of October but locally Lyveden New Bield near Oundle, The Museum of Childhood near Tutbury and Canons Ashby near Towcester will remain open until early December. Canons Ashby also has the first Christmas Market of the season on Sat 10 & Sun 11 November.

The National Trust Leicester Association has an afternoon meeting on Wednesday 24th October at St Guthlac’s Memorial Hall, Holbrook Road, Leicester at 2.30pm. Sally Henshaw will present a talk on The Life of Nell Gwyn There will be an evening meeting on Tuesday 13th November when Chris Andrews, RSPB, will present an illustrated talk on The Wildlife of Fineshade Wood. The meeting will be held at The Samworth Academy, Trenant Road, Leicester at 7.30pm.

Admission to both meetings is NTLA members £2.50 and visitors £4.00 including refreshments.

The Association also has an Autumn Fair on Saturday 3rd November at Christchurch, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester from 10.00 to 12.30, admission 50p. There will be a wide range of stalls and refreshments.

For more information on the NT Leicester Association and its Talks Service call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler, Chairman

I dreamt I was drowning in an ocean of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta sea .

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