October 2013 herald magazine

OCTOBER 2013

Markfield’s new skate park unveiled

Don’t miss the Redgates Big Autumn Dog Walk!

A NEW, modern skate park at Markfield has been unveiled after months of hard work by groups and individuals throughout the community. The new facility replaces the very popular old wooden skate park, which had become a victim of its own success and was just worn out. The new skate park includes exciting features such as quarter pipes, flat banks, grind blocks, a volcano and a roll over. The new site also has a new spectator area where parents, grandparents, family friends and users can sit and watch their offspring and users demonstrating or practising their BMX, scooter and skate board skills. It is the result of months of fundraising, planning, negotiating and sheer hard work by Markfield Parish Council, Markfield Community Association and young skate park users. The first task was to raise funds to cover the daunting cost of construction as well as other ancillary items. The project became possible when Markfield Parish Council first approached the Trustees of the Miners’ Welfare Institute with the idea of making a contribution

The Redgates Farm Animal Sanctuary Annual Sponsored Dog Walk takes place on Sunday 27th October 2013.

OPEN: Borough and Markfield Parish Councillor Matthew Lay (left) receives a plaque from Borough Councillor Bill Crooks, in recognition of the support the project received from the Parish and Community Initiative Fund. towards the costs of installing a new skate park. The Trustees agreed to give the parish council a donation of £35,000 and Markfield Community Association a further £2,000, which met 50 per cent of the total cost of the project. The parish council was then able to obtain a grant of £10,000 from the Borough Council’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund.

The Markfield Community Association was successful in raising a further £18,975 from funding streams such as The BIG Society, Community Forum, SHIRES Environmental Grant and the Leicestershire Legacy Fund. But to make the project a reality, costs had to be reduced and more funds raised - and this is where the young people proved their mettle. They gave up several weekends to dismantle the old skate park, thus saving the project about £1,000. They also supported a Discothon challenge to raise a further £800. At the opening ceremony, Borough Councillor Bill Crooks, the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, helped to plant a commemorative tree, which was donated by James Coles and Sons (Nurseries) Ltd. He said afterwards: “I was pleased that Markfield Parish Council invited me and that the Borough Council was able to help them once again from the Parish and Community Initiative Fund. The facility looks brilliant and should be a great asset for years to come.”

The walk covers around 6 miles of fields and copses at the back of Redgate Farm, near Stanton and Thornton. The good news is - you don’t even need to be a dog owner to take part, because you can ‘borrow’ a sanctuary dog! For full details, see page 23.

Free-to-Enter Children’s Art Competition Children living in Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton or Merrylees are being invited to enter an art competition. See page 6 for full details.

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Silence is golden. Unless you have a toddler. Then, silence is just suspicious.

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Tel: 01530 244069 info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

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

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Without Walls at Stanton under Bardon

The changes continue at WOW

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This issue of The Herald is being delivered over the weekend of 5th & 6th October 2013 by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely: Sarah Jane, Maureen, John, Lyn, Lily, Lydia, Ian, Ann, Gill, Janet, Sandra, Helen, Don, Jeanie, Jenny, Lauren, Daisy, Stacey, Ennyd, Margaret, Matthew, Charlotte, Mike, Rowan, John & Sue.

Thornton

New Year’s Eve Charity Dance Ken, Glenda, Ann, Josie and their team are organising a charity dance on New Year’s Eve. Recently at WOW in Stanton Under Bardon, we have been able to press on with our renovations to the building which have helped us continue providing a community facility which we very much hope will be used more by people in the local district. This work has been made possible by obtaining grant assistance from the local Authority. This financial support has helped us improve the building and make it an attractive facility for the community of Stanton the surrounding area to enjoy. On this occasion, we have been able to replace the carpet in the main hall. This has added substantially to the appearance of the hall following a number of repairs undertaken in previous years. As a local faith group we believe that part of our function is to serve our communities and provide a number of environments where people from all ages and walks of life, can find something which will help enhance their experience within their local community. Over the last couple of months we have been providing cafes for people with Dementia and we are working more and more in partnership with other organisations such as Age UK and Leicestershire county council, to assist people with needs to find the help required. We also are continuing to provide a place where people can interact socially whether it’s just for a cup of tea and a chat or indeed a game of bingo with a bit of supper. There is always something going on and anyone is most welcome!

As they are unable to use the Bagworth Working Men’s Club on this occasion, it will be held at Thornton Community Centre. The charity to be supported is Wishes 4 Kids, a very worthy charity. Wishes 4 Kids has been created to grant a wish for children and youngsters in Leicestershire who are life limited, terminally ill, have experienced life-changing physical or emotional traumas, have suffered major abuse or are diagnosed as HIV Positive. The Charity grants wishes for those of eighteen years and below. There will not be a bar at the Community Centre so you will need to provide your own drinks, alcoholic or otherwise, or food. Tickets cost £2.50 and the dance will begin at 8 pm on 31st December. In addition to the dancing there will be a raffle which always has lots of great prizes. See in the New Year with your friends and in addition have a good time into the bargain. Contact 01530 230467

The 14th Markfield, Ratby & Groby Community Forum

Community Forums are the place to Have Your Say! The next Markfield, Ratby & Groby Community Forum meeting will take place on Thursday 10th October 2013 at South Charnwood High School, Broad Lane, Markfield, LE67 9TB at 6.30pm.

AD RATES: PAGE 28

Agenda topics include; * Leicestershire’s Future – How is the County Council planning ahead? * What are the issues affecting your community? * How can you help the community take charge? For further details please contact Nicola Lees- nicola.lees@leics.gov.uk or 0116 305 7986

If you are trying to insult me, you are going to have to use smaller words.

The importance of making provision for future burial plots Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald A couple of years ago we had the last parcel of land at Markfield Cemetery consecrated. This involved a little fanfare and a fair amount of bureaucracy (nothing is as simple as it first seems). It was a piece of land given (I think?) during the development of Markfield valley in the 1970’s by N.Fitchett. This piece of land extended the original cemetery by about a third in size although for many years it was not really required and lay unused as the rest of the site was slowly filled. Looking back, it is a good job that a decision was taken to provide the extension as we have now started to use the land in question. We estimate that the current available land will provide a burial site for about a further 20 years although this is pretty hard to predict for obvious reasons. With new houses set to be built and a continuing stream of people who move away from the village still desiring to be

buried here, it is clear that we need to start thinking about how we cater for this demand in the future and start to plan ahead. I write this having been struck by recent news coverage that showed the UK rapidly running out of space in cemeteries up and down the country. It had been estimated that nearly half of all cemeteries would be full over the next two decades. This prediction had led to calls to start recycling already used plots that had been untouched for over 100 years. I personally am not an advocate of this, but nevertheless it raises interesting arguments. In the cemetery at Markfield we have many such plots, some of them very grand and occupying a decent parcel of land. Often they are untended and seemingly no local connection to them remains. At one point a few years ago we had to take action to lay some of these old gravestones flat to make them safe. This is because they had moved over the years and

the older stones being taller and heavier can be dangerous. Despite doing this and anticipating some complaints from offended relatives (we were unaware of there being any to contact prior to the work) we actually heard very little. Most of the graves in question went back beyond 100 years - in fact, back to when the Cemetery was first built. A good number of the plots at the Cemetery are actually unmarked as many people back in the Victorian era could not afford to have a headstone or they had a pauper’s funeral. It is difficult to quantify the actual extent of this. The Parish Council has some very old records and maps of the cemetery but they are in parts barely legible, written on faded parchment. Prior to the Cemetery being built on Leicester Road, the parish churches were used for burial of the dead providing you were worthy. Churches at Stanton, Markfield and Copt Oak have closed burial grounds going back many years. I am unclear if pauper burial plots exist in these closed graveyards but I would have thought it likely. Pauper burials sadly appear to be making a comeback and in some respects it is no surprise when one considers the full cost of a standard funeral including all fees. It is estimated to be in the thousands and continues to increase. The cost of dying has now risen to an average £7,622 - a 7.1 per cent increase on last year, according to a report earlier this month by insurer Sun Life Direct. Such is the extent of the increase some find themselves unable to meet the costs and so rely on the local authority to bury the individual. As plots become more difficult to find so it

is likely the costs will continue to increase and access to a burial will be restricted. In Markfield we will need to think about how we respond, so we are not left having to use plots once used 100 years ago. The first step will be to identify some suitable land which will not be easy. We still have time on our side and we need to use that wisely. Just to finish this month; I wanted to say a big thank you to all the staff at Mercenfeld Primary School following the fire. As a dad with two children at the school, the magnificent response of all at Mercenfeld and the way they responded to the incident was a credit to them all. It would have been a great shock to have discovered a fire of that magnitude and yet within a few minutes the school had been evacuated and by all accounts in an orderly fashion without any harm. The building of course suffered serious damage but buildings can be rebuilt and repaired. The key is that the children were unharmed. So again a big thank-you to the professionalism of all the staff, well done to all concerned and remember those fire drills are really worth it after all.

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I look so peaceful when my kids are sleeping.

What happened to your holiday snapshots?

This summer, how many photographs did you take while on holiday? What did you do with them all? It seems that with the arrival of smartphones and the internet, some of us are in danger of ruining our own holidays by obsessive clicking. Instead of switching off, and simply enjoying our holiday surroundings, we spend hours taking photographs which we then upload on Facebook, and comment on.... and then we spend even more time reading what people have said about our holidays, and responding. Now one professor at Lancaster University has warned: “The technology is getting in the way not only of people experiencing where they are, but also the other people they are with. Capturing the moment in your head is more important than capturing it on your smartphone.” And, as more people admit to carefully staging photographs that make them look happy and relaxed, for uploading onto Facebook, “there is definitely a competitive element. It’s about telling other people where you are and using it to show off.” Sunshine.co.uk, who commissioned the study, found that it seemed “the more you are connected, the more you struggle to have proper personal time with people that matter.”

Barn Dance/Ho Down at Bagworth WMC The Friends of St. Peter’s are putting on a ‘Barn Dance/Ho Down’ at ‘Bagworth W.M.C.’ on Friday 18th October between 8 and 11pm. There’ll be great music provided by ‘Heathermixture’ It’s a ‘Ticketonly’ event ….admission is £5. For tickets and information please telephone Eric on 01530-230743.

Barnardo’s Makes Urgent Plea For Foster Carers In Leicestershire & Rutland Children’s charity Barnardo’s is urgently looking for foster carers across Leicestershire and Rutland. The call comes from the charity’s East Midlands Family Placements service in a bid to deal with a massive shortage of people willing to offer children a safe and nurturing home. The service says that children are being left in care for years because there are not enough people to support them. Applications for children to be taken into care have been on the rise; however, there is a national shortage of 8,750 foster carers, leaving children in care paying the price. Tracey Easter from East Midlands Family Placements team said: “We believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive and loving home. Sadly, thousands of children and young people are in care waiting to be adopted or to have a more permanent foster placement. “We are keen to hear from people who might be able to look after children aged 0 to 18 years in their own homes - children who, because of difficult early experiences in life, need additional help and support. We are also looking for carers for sibling groups, who we tend to find hardest to place.” Bruce Oldfield, ‘Fashion Designer to the Stars’ who was fostered through the charity, is also encouraging potential foster carers in the local area to come forward. Mr Oldfield said: “To have a happy childhood surrounded by positive and encouraging role models is vital. The longer children are without the stability of a permanent family the more damage is done. “Being a foster carer is a life giving profession. You will be creating the childhood memories for these children and helping to shape their futures. Please take a moment from your day today and think about whether you could foster and, if you can, please take the first steps to finding out more.” There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. For further information contact the service on 01332 544711 or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/ fosteringandadoption. High levels of support and training are offered throughout a foster placement.

‘In Bagworth there once lived a lass’ This is the first line of the limerick competition in Bagworth Show Part 2. Complete the limerick to win a prize. Alternatively, come along to Bagworth Working Men’s Club on 5th October at 2 pm to see what limericks have been entered and see the other exhibits in the cooking and baking, arts and crafts and children’s sections. There will also be stalls and an auction at 4.30 pm. For further details: Rosemary 01530 230347 or Bob 01530 230429. In addition, the Bagworth Forward Group is holding their annual Christmas Prize Bingo on Monday 25th November at 7. 30 pm at the Bagworth Working Men’s Club, not at the Community Centre. There are always good prizes to be won. Come along, have a good time and see if you are lucky. Admission is free.

Bob Austin

Markfield HomeMakers Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8pm. • Oct 9th Bob Gibson – History of the Package Holiday • Nov 13th David Ray – Walking in Leicestershire Call: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436.

My older sister is tired of me calling her the beta release.

Design a Christmas stamp or a stained glass window!

It’s time to enter the Christmas drawing and painting competition! We are delighted to launch a new art competition for all children of the Parish aged 4 - 11. There will be two categories: 4 – 7 and 8 – 11 and entry is completely free.

Category 1 (aged 4 – 7) We would like you to draw or paint a new Christmas stamp, one that you would like to see on the envelope of a Christmas card! It can be as colourful, or as plain, as you want it to be.

Category 2 (aged 8 – 11) We would like you to design, and draw or paint, a stained glass window that depicts a Christmas scene. Or perhaps you would like to make a collage or you have another craft idea? (You may have seen the Nativity stained glass panels in St. Peter’s Church, Thornton).

Who can enter? Any child within the specified age-groups and who lives in the Parish (in Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton or Merrylees).

What to do! All we ask is you use your imagination and enjoy yourselves! Draw or paint (or create your craft idea), on an A4 sheet of paper, make sure there are contact details on the back (or securely attached), so we know whose work it is, and let us know which category it is. Put it securely in an envelope and hand it in to: • Stanton Stores, Main Street, Stanton • The Corner Shop, Main Street, Thornton • Mrs Kathryn Anderson at Thornton village school • Or post to one of the Parish Magazine Editors – Jo at 34, Highfields, Thornton LE67 1AD, or Shirley at 1, Beech Drive, Thornton, LE67 1AY

Ode to Richard

Historians say that he fought the good fightOur King with crooked spine, and build so slight, Slain on Bosworth Field- as everyone knowsFelled from his horse, with humiliating blows. a This much-maligned man, thisChurches T Markfield legendary King, (our Uni. gave the world his DNA fingerprinting) Was portrayed as a tyrant, but he didn’t fail To give us more books, and the system of bail. an opportunity to relax, find peace within ours 'reflect' on ourand place in the world; offering cre With skull skill they’ve suggestions for reading, thinking and explorin reconstructed his face, Trinity Methodist Whilst controversy reigns- his Chur final resting-place. 6-7pm However most think it’s a Wednesdays wonderful thing 16th October After 500 years- we know it’s 13th November our King Come for as long as you wish and leave whe Found ‘neath a Leicester carwant. No intrusive questions, though peopl park, in a deep around if you needhole, to talk or pray with som Refreshments available. All arerest welcome, w The Last PlantagenetGod not feel church is for you. hisyou soul!

information: Karen (249829 JanetFurther M. Peberdy or Rosemary (242844)

Prizes! There will of course be prizes – a ‘first’ and a ‘runner-up’ for each category – and they will be awarded at the Christmas concert with Natalie and Friends at St. Peter’s Church, Thornton on Sunday 1st December (3 -5pm). The primary school choir will also be singing there on that day. (All competition entrants will receive a small gift).

St Michael’s Church

Harvest Supper

Thursday 17th October

Deadline All entries should be handed in by 26th November. Judging will take place on 28th November. Prizes awarded 1st December. So … get those pens, pencils and paints out of the cupboard and get designing today! We are really looking forward to seeing your work.

Jo Leadbetter

7 for 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall, Markfield Tickets will be available in church

Hinckley & Bosworth backs City of Culture bid LEICESTER’S bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2017 is being supported by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. In giving its backing to the bid, the Borough Council acknowledges that a successful outcome for Leicester will result in significant economic benefits for the whole area, boosting employment, business growth, tourism and skills development. A strong cultural partnership already exists between the city and other agencies across the county, which brings together partners in the arts and creative sectors. If Leicester’s bid succeeds, the partnership will have an important role to play in the development of the programme in the run-up to 2017. Councillor David Cope, Executive Member responsible for Culture and Leisure, said: “Backing this bid is so important to all of Leicestershire given the diversity of cultures, talents and of course historical heritage we have. Success would mean so much to the whole of Leicestershire and give a huge boost to our often overlooked cultural excellence”. The final bid will be submitted by 30 September 2013 and an announcement on which city has been successful is expected to be made in November 2013.

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TABLE TOP & CRAFT FAYRE Bric a Brac, Cakes, Crafts, Jewellery & Beads, £1 stall, Tombola & Refreshments

SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER 1.00pm till 3.30pm COPT OAK MEMORIAL HALL LE67 9QB Stalls £7 – booking essential / Entrance 50p – children free Further details contact - 0116 2674746 Ample free parking - Proceeds in aid of St. Peter’s Church Copt Oak.

The onions aren’t making me cry. It’s just being in the kitchen in general.

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The last time anyone told me I looked hot, I was in a sauna.

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The Latimer Primary School Our pupils need you!

The Latimer is a good school The school is a very supportive community, where pupils are able to flourish academically and socially The Latimer is a harmonious and happy school

OfSTED 2011

The Latimer Primary School is looking to appoint new governors to its governing body. Experience in education or governance is not necessary as full training will be given. The school is developing rapidly and is looking for governors who will help and support the school in all aspects of its work. We currently have 254 pupils and will be expanding significantly over the coming years. We feed to The Martin High School and are members of the Affinity Teaching Schools Alliance. If you feel you have the time and skills to contribute to the life and work of the school and are interested in ensuring local children receive an excellent educational experience, please apply to the school for further details. th Closing date for applications 15 October 2013 www.latimerprimary.org.uk Tel: 01162362138 Latimer Street, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 7AW email: coheads@latimer.leics.sch.uk The Latimer Primary School is committed to developing outstanding safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

My favourite time of self-reflection is when the mirrors are fogged after a shower.

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason “Spare Room Subsidy” or “Bedroom Tax”? Spare Room Subsidy - It sounds good doesn’t it? Benevolent, like you are being given something - rather than having something taken away. But for 660,000 households the reality is that they are having something taken away - 14 per cent of their housing benefit if they are deemed to have one spare bedroom over and above their needs - and 25 per cent for two or more. There is no doubt we all need to tackle the rising housing benefit bill - more than £17 billion a year and rising. More than a third of social housing tenants of working age are in homes that the Government says is too big for their needs - and a million ‘extra’ bedrooms are being paid for by the taxpayer. Does that make any sense? Opponents say not really. Those facing the prospect of paying - or moving because of their spare rooms think the tax is harsh and unfair. But people struggling in cramped and overcrowded council accommodation also think it’s unfair if someone who moved into their four bedroom place twenty years ago is still there, long after the rest of the family have flown the nest. When you have a precious resource like scarce social housing, shouldn’t you make sure it’s really well used to benefit the most people and the people who need it the most? But the real question is will the Spare Room Subsidy (as the Coalition prefers it to be called) actually achieve what it’s setting out to do? Will it make the situation better? Will it make the situation worse? The evidence so far points to it making the situation worse for housing authorities. It’s supposed to save money on what many regard as a shockingly high housing benefit bill. But it will only do that if people stay put and pay. If they move to places more appropriate for their needs they won’t be charged. And there is constant talk of how few smaller properties there are for people to move into. The impact is that the local housing authority has seen an increase in debt thus affecting all council tax payers. One housing association has stated that there were just two one-bedroom places available in the whole local area - and for one of them you had to be over 50. The result of this across the country is lots and lots of people saying they can’t move - but can’t pay either. One of the risks of the policy is that many people stay put and then fall into arrears, risking debt, eviction and increased costs to the local authority. Housing Authorities and Housing Associations say they want to build a lot of desperately needed affordable homes. But every penny in lost rent

means less for them to spend on desperately needed new builds. I believe that for this policy to work will take time maybe ten years. The housing stock needs to be managed in a far more efficient and effective way than is currently the case. The local Housing Authority needs to make the system easier to navigate and easier for people to downsize. The government needs to ease off and allow investment in housing stock that meets the requirements and not once again penalize the tax payer. And isn’t that what’s desperately needed here? Not a penalty for under-occupying the properties we do have - but the creation of more new affordable homes. Homes that people on modest incomes can actually afford to live in whether they are on housing benefit or not. If we’d actually built a few more of those in recent years, under all governments - or simply kept the valuable national housing stock we’ve been selling off since the 1980s - perhaps we wouldn’t be where we are now.

No ideological dispute over ‘Fitness to work’ test Recently, the government revealed that the quality of reports written by Atos assessors had fallen to “unacceptably poor” levels. The noise created by some GPs using the power under whistleblowing resulted in the government’s subsequent decision to retrain those Atos staff delivering the controversial fitness-for-work test and to start appointing new companies to take on the work, alongside Atos. I wholeheartedly agree with a recent report from Dr Chris Wood. Dr Wood was one of those doctors who joined Atos in 2010 after 16 years as a navy doctor. He saw the job of helping the government determine who was eligible for benefits as a respectable and important position, and wants to make it clear that he has no ideological dispute with the underlying principle of assessing people. He was paid about £60,000 a year for a 37-hour week. His report should really concern us all in how a good idea in principle can turn into a disaster. Dr Wood recently said in an interview to a national newspaper he said “I’m not complaining about the function of what Atos does. I’m all for rational assessments. I’ve never liked the idea that people can just say that they’ve got something wrong with them and you just accept that. I think you do need an objective assessment.” Atos was given the contract to perform the work capability assessment (WCA) by the last Labour government, and its team of doctors, nurses and physiotherapists

are responsible for carrying out a computer-led test that looks at the claimant’s ability to perform a range of functions (walk 200 metres, sit down for extended periods, use their hands, for example). In order to qualify for ESA, an individual needs to score 15 points. Since the company began reassessing former incapacity benefit claimants at a rate of around 11,000 people a week, very high numbers of people have been unhappy with the results, and have appealed against them. The total number of people appealing every year – both inside and outside of tribunals – has risen from 279,000 in 2009-10 to 465,000 in 2012-13. For the first two years, Dr Wood had no complaints about his work, most of which was conducting less controversial assessments for a different benefit - the soon to be defunct disability living allowance. In May last year, however, he was sent on a one-day training course on how to carry out a slightly updated WCA, which had more stringent eligibility criteria, and several aspects of the training concerned him. The trainer gave quick rule-of-thumb guidance on several areas of the test, which he believed deliberately traduced the more nuanced written instructions in the assessors’ handbook on five critical areas, so that assessors were less likely to award points to claimants. He thinks the guidance is “plain wrong” in the five areas of: mobility, manual dexterity, continence, personal action, and risk. The trainer says: ‘If they can walk from one room to another, they can walk 200 metres, which means they won’t score any points [on that section of the assessment]’,” he recalls. “I said: ‘Well, one room to another is not 200 metres’. I wanted to know how they worked that out, and there was no explanation forthcoming. “I was told, if you can press a button you get no points for manual dexterity – that’s easy to remember – but it’s actually not what is in the regulations,” he says. The regulations set out a more nuanced set of tests that assess other manual skills, he argues, making it easier for claimants to be awarded points. On another section of the test, he was also told: “If they can wash and get dressed, they have enough drive and concentration to do a job.” He describes this logic as ‘medical nonsense’. “That’s true if you’re two, and you wash and dress, then that probably requires some concentration. Anyone over the age of about five, doesn’t need to concentrate,” he says. Guidance from trainers encourages assessors to have a “cavalier” attitude to the difficulties of incontinence, he adds. He has written in detail about the five points in his blog. When he pointed out that some of the guidance was ‘unmedical’, his trainer responded with ‘irritation’, he recalls, and shortly afterwards he was called out of the training room to talk

Of all the martial arts, karaoke inflicts the most pain.

David Sprason to his line manager. He thinks that fellow trainees were ‘cowed’ by the trainer and the process. “I sensed that by questioning some of what I called bogus rules of thumb, I triggered a degree of irritation, if not hostility, in the trainer,” he says. “I don’t want to blame the trainers, because they were just obeying orders. The upshot is that there will be fewer points awarded. This is one of the reasons that there are so many successful appeals, because the tribunal judges read the manual.” In January, the quality of his reports began to be audited, for reasons that are not entirely clear to him. He understands the need for auditing and was happy to submit to the process, until line managers began to request that his reports were rewritten. His patience ran out when he was instructed by his line manager – the clinical performance lead – to reduce the number of points awarded to a claimant with serious mental health problems. “It was clearly wrong, medically,” he says. “I had more mental health experience than most of the staff at Atos; I was supposed to be a lead on it. The two people who were telling me to change my report weren’t. I had seen the person; they hadn’t. She had chronic psychotic illness, going back about 20 years, in and out of hospital, on very strong medicines. Talking to her, she couldn’t concentrate, she rambled, she had some odd ideas about things. A classic example of an only partially treated, chronic psychotic person. She fully deserved points. I was specifically told to amend the report. It wasn’t: ‘You ought to think about changing it’. I was sent two emails both telling me: ‘You need to amend the report’,” he says. He resigned within the hour. He points out that the General Medical Council makes it clear that doctors must not change a report and risk being disciplined for unprofessional conduct if they do. An Atos spokeswoman said that all training delivered to Atos practitioners was reviewed and approved by the Department for Work and Pensions. “A practitioner will only be asked to amend their report if there are

Continued on page 10

10 County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason Continued from page 9 quality problems identified within it. There is no ethical conflict in advising a doctor that aspects of their work require further attention to meet the standards expected; indeed, quality audit and feedback is a key aspect of all good medical practice.” Like all Atos employees, Dr Wood was obliged to sign the Official Secrets Act when he joined the company. He thinks that this was a precaution more relevant to staff carrying out other, sensitive government contracts, and not a ruse to muzzle doctors employed to carry out the WCA. Since he is not revealing any official secrets, he has no qualms about speaking out, but he says becoming a whistleblower is not necessarily a positive move for a continued medical career. He is not currently working as a doctor, and is focusing on writing a book on Iraq. He describes the whole assessment process as an ‘embarrassing shambles’, but does not think Atos is necessarily to blame. He thinks a system whereby private companies are contracted in to perform sensitive tasks for the state is inherently risky. “Atos is a business that makes money, as all good businesses do. If you’re an Atos executive, what you’re thinking about is the contract and getting a decent return. If you’re a caring citizen, you worry about someone who is disabled and has had a stroke, and who has to come to this assessment thinking that they are going to lose some money or that someone is going to say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you’. These are soft social judgments that the business model cannot handle,” he says. (A. Gentleman, (2013) Why I Blew the Whistle on Atos. The Guardian, 31 July 2013) The financial and societal impact has yet to be equated but the financial cost of appeals is currently running at £20 million a year and rising. The impact on an already stretched health and social care system to pick up the pieces is already being felt and will place even more pressure on a budget that is at breaking point.

Vince Cable MP praises Hinckley & Bosworth

Mmmmm...

The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills visited the new Hinckley Hub to hear about annual savings for the tax payers and job creation in the local area. The new Hub on Rugby Road houses Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Job Centre Plus, the Police and the Leicestershire County Council are soon to share the facilities as well. Leader of the Council, Stuart Bray said “People living in the Hinckley & Bosworth area will not only benefit from having these services under one roof but the local tax payers will also save at least £75,000 a year. This will help keep this council as one of the lowest council tax authorities in the country”. As well as taking an interest in the Hinckley Hub Dr Cable welcomed the news that Hinckley & Bosworth were at the centre of creating 1000’s of new jobs for local people. Cllr Michael Mullaney said: “Despite the economic mess left behind by Labour, we have

Vince Cable, Business Secretary, with Hinckey & Bosworth Liberal Democrat councillors managed to invest in business, jobs and apprenticeships to help people get back to work “The Enterprise Zone at MIRA on the A5 near Hinckley is bringing thousands of jobs to our area and the new DPD site on Sketchley rook will be bringing about a 1000 more jobs to the area, and Bosworth has had one of the biggest increases in apprenticeships in the country over the last few years.” Vince Cable said “Liberal Democrats, both locally and nationally, are building a strong economy and a fairer society where everyone can reach their potential. “At the heart of that is job creation. The Lib Dems want to create another million jobs and double the number of businesses that take on apprenticeships. The Lib Dems at Hinckley & Bosworth are leading the way by creating local opportunities for this to be achieved.”

Calling all chocoholics The Bagworth Historical Society is holding an open meeting on Tuesday 12th November at 7.30 pm at Bagworth Working Men’s Club. We have invited Elizabeth Riding to tell us all she knows about chocolate, and she has considerable knowledge of this subject. She calls the talk ‘Chocolate Delight’. It will be an interesting, enjoyable and informative evening. Admission is £1 and can be paid on the door. Everyone is welcome.

Keep them moving! Are your children getting enough exercise? Children under 10 need 60 to 85 minutes of exercise a day, if they are to reduce the risk of heart disease in later life. This should include 20 minutes of ‘vigorous’ exercise each day, according to the researchers in the BMC Medicine journal.

I’ve been holding my stomach in for about 3 years now so don’t talk to me about dedication.

11 POLICE REPORT: July 2013 Crime Figures – PC 537 Philip Hale had emailed the following crime figures: • 1 x Burglary at a dwelling where rear door was forced and tools stolen • 1 x Criminal Damage to a fence • 1 x Damage to a motor vehicle where lock forced on Markfield Lane • 1 x Theft of a wheel from a motor vehicle • 2 x Internal thefts from dwelling premises • 5 x Thefts where payment was not made, for services or goods at business premises August 2013 Crime Figures – PCSO Stephen Williams 6639 attended the meeting and had emailed the following crime figures: • 3x Burglary Dwelling – 2 x Leicester Road and 1 x The Paddock. Two of the burglaries had had the rear patio door smashed with one entry gained via forcing the front ground floor window. • 5x Burglary Other Than Dwelling – Ratby Lane, Shaw Lane, Leicester Road, London Road and Hill Lane. Wheel caps taken from Shaw Lane. Diesel theft and also building equipment stolen from London Road. • 1x Theft Stores – Shaw Lane • 7x Theft – Shaw Lane (Bilking) Drive offs • 1x Theft - Hill Lane • 1x Damage - Oakfield Avenue, Bushes • 4x Theft From Motor Vehicle – Forest Road, Catalytic Converter. Billa Barra Lane, Tax Disc. Cliffe Lane, Mobile phone. Hill Lane, Mobile Phone. The police were advising members of the public to make sure vehicles were locked and secured and that all property of value was removed from the vehicle. PCSO Williams also reported that there had been incidents of someone trying front door handles along Chitterman Way over the last few days. • Recent poor attendance: Inspector J Starbuck had responded

Extracts from Markfield Parish Council Minutes The following items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Markfield Parish Council on Tuesday 3rd September 2013. The information comes from the unapproved minutes, and therefore may be subject to correction or alteration. to the Parish Council’s concerns about the lack of police presence within Markfield village and at meetings. A copy of his response was circulated to the members prior to the meeting. • Markfield “Rave” at SAS 22 Paintballing, Cliffe Lane 31st August 2013: Both the clerk & Mrs D Grantham had been inundated with telephone complaints about the noise from the above event; it was so loud that residents thought it had been held in the village either on the Community Centre site or Jubilee Playing Fields site. This was not the case and Mrs D Grantham had placed a notice on various noticeboards around the village stating that neither the Parish Council nor Markfield Community Centre Association had any prior knowledge of the “Rave” at SAS 22 Paintballing. PCSO Williams stated that the Officers, who attended, had been informed that the organisers had a Temporary Events Licence. This apparently was not the case and the matter was being dealt with by the Environmental Department. Community Police Office: PCSO Williams informed the members that the Police would be removing all of their property from the office at the centre shortly. Instead the building would be used as a “drop-in centre” in future, so there wasn’t any need for the equipment to be kept there. An alternative location was being sought in Ratby. The Parish Council was very

disappointed to hear this, because the office extension was built at a considerable cost to the Parish Council with one of the main purposes being, that it would serve as a Police Community Office and as a central hub for officers. Considerable effort and expenditure to the Parish Council had been incurred by installing a Ground Safe for canisters etc. and obtaining the extra Insurances and Licences. The welcome sign at the car park entrance also displays the “Leicestershire Police” logo as one of the contributing partnerships at the centre. The members also wondered why the initiative to relocate from an existing fully equipped office in Markfield was less cost effective and less suitable than seeking a new office in Ratby. Local History Group – Proposal to erect a War Memorial in Markfield on the Middle Green: - Mr B Gannon had emailed the following report: A proposed programme with the objective of having the memorial complete in advance of the WW1 centenary events that are nationally to commence in June 2014. Subject to the Council’s agreement, I suggest we proceed on four parallel fronts. a) The PC should proceed with the submission of the planning application in September. b) MLHG continue with the ordering and manufacture of the memorial stone in September once the new foundation details have

been resolved. c) A detailed drawing and cost estimate for the stone plinth/ surround to follow in either September or October so that the PC can get quotations for construction. d) The PC agree a programme for the supply, construction and landscaping of the site with the objective of having the memorial completed by the end of May 2014 in readiness for WW1 commemorative events which are due to commence in June 2014. Mr D Brooks stated that he was working on a design and costings which would be ready for the next Parish Council meeting. The planning application would be submitted to the Borough Council by the end of 2013 in order for the construction to be completed by May 2014. The suggested wording was: “This War Memorial replaces the Miners’ Welfare Institute in Remembrance”. Mr M Lay stated that a commissioning event should be held May 2014 including the Churches Together and the British Legion and in future years there should be an annual Remembrance Service and wreaths laid there. Consultation on the County Council’s £100m savings: Mr M Lay was concerned about cuts to the local library. Mr D Sprason stated that the library was well used, the local school also used it as well as other small clubs and one option could be that the local community take over the service. The Co-Op store redevelopment, Main Street: - The development had started and the contractors – Key Property Solutions had circulated a newsletter to every property within the Markfield area to keep residents informed about the development. Jelson development, Land off London Road, Markfield, -Revised scheme: - Mr M Lay continued to liaise with the developer and was positive that the Section 106 monies would be contributed to benefit Markfield community directly.

After reading about the evils of drinking, I’ve decided to give up reading.

12

Garden Jottings with Ted Brown of Markfield

Hydrangeas Early in the season, a friend enquired if her Mop-head Hydrangeas would recover after being cut down to the ground by a casual, but overenthusiastic gardener. Yes, they would, but it would take a couple of years or so to reach their previous height. Mopheads and Lace-caps are both forms of Hydrangea Macrophylla, the most widely planted of the large Hydrangea family. Flowers should be left on over Winter, then removed in Spring, when their branches are trimmed back to a healthy pair of buds.

foliage: ‘Snow Queen is a good one. And to finish with, we have the climbing Hydrangea Petiolaris. So, you would like one of those handsome pure blue Hydrangeas of the Mop-head type. Having the right type of acidic soil is a great help. Then choosing a variety known to ‘blue’ well. Hillier’s Manual of Trees and Shrubs lists these. In this area, you would need to use a blueing powder. You could buy a good blue-flowered Hydrangea being sold as a house plant, knowing that after being hardened off, it could be made to flower similarly when planted in the garden. In conclusion on Hydrangeas, just a mention of four rather special ones. Firstly, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ which has Mop-head type flowers of pure white. May be left unpruned or perhaps better pruned severely. Then, a true Mop-head type: Hydrangea ‘Ayesha’. Flowers are a glossy pink and quite distinctive. The next two are Lace-caps: ‘Tricolour’ and ‘Quadricolour’ which are both grown as foliage plants. ‘Quadricolour’ is outstanding with foliage in two shades of green, cream and yellow.

Consider the Jasmines The next most commonly planted are varieties of Hydrangea Paniculata. these have long racemes of mostly white to pink flowers. A good one is ‘Pink Diamond’ (pictured above). This type of Hydrangea is better pruned quite severely in Spring. Then we have the oak-leaved Hydrangea - Hydrangea Quercifolia - white flowers with magnificent Autumn

The Jasmines or Jessamines are, in fact, in the Olive family. The two we know best are the Winter-flowering Jasminum Nudiflorum, and the fragrant Summer-flowering Jasminum Officinale. Both plants are a must for any garden which has sufficient room. Jasminum Nudiflorum I rate as one of the best Winter plants. Flowering from November to February, its yellow flowers on

Jasminum Nudiflorum bare (or nude) stems, thereby getting its name. However, the stems are always green. Not really a climber, more of a scrambler requiring some kind of fixing to keep it under control. The whiteflowering Jasminum Officinale is a climber for a sunny spot. Lovely for fragrance. A larger flowered form is known as ‘Affine’. There is a shrubby Jasmine, sometimes called the Italian Jasmine, which is Jasminum Humile. Yellow flowers on 3 or 4 foot bushes. A dwarf gem for the rock garden, or front of border, is Jasminum Parkeri. Small mounds of yellow flowers. reverting to Jasminum Officinale, I omitted to mention that it is sometimes referred to as the Poet’s Jasmine. Now, to conclude on Jasmines, two to surprise your friends and garden visitors. Jasminum x Stephanense is a climber and probably the only hybrid Jasmine. pale pink flowers ion June and July. The other is Jasminum Beesianum - very strong growing with red flowers in May and June, followed by shining black berries.

First World War

Bagworth 2014 As 2014 is the centenary of the start of the First World War, I am at present working on researching Bagworth Men who fought in that war. I have discovered that over 75 Bagworth men were involved in the conflict. Of these 18 lost their lives and are named on the Bagworth War Memorial. I am researching all of the names, but I am especially interested in those on the War Memorial. What I would like to do is find a photograph of each of the men. The men on the War Memorial are: Walford Sydney Ball, John Bennett, Walter Bevins, John Bowley, Percy Cavill, Charles Chamberlain, Thomas Davies (Davis) , Bertie Farmer, Alfred Heathcote, Henry Alfred Holland, William Kenny, Daniel Linford, William Lockwood, John Thomas Lovett, George Paston, Joseph Reed, Francis Ward, Leonard Ward. If any of these are relatives of yours I would like to talk to you about them. I would be very interested if anyone has photos of these men. I do not want to keep the photos, I can scan them and return them immediately to you. My phone number is 01530 230429 and my email address is Austin@bagworth.freeserve.co.uk Thanks in anticipation for any help.

Bob Austin What happens then? A little boy was taken Christmas shopping by his mother. He watched the escalator going down for several minutes, and then asked with concern: “What happens when the ground floor gets full of steps?”

Women forgive and forget but always make sure you don’t forget that they forgave you and forgot about it.

13

Ratby Village Society Open Meetings Ratby Village Society meetings start at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Ratby, on the third Tuesday monthly with the exception of JULY, AUGUST & DECEMBER when there are no meetings. Admission for members is £1.60 (Membership £5.00) and casual guests £2.50 refreshments included. You do not have to live in Ratby to attend everyone welcome. • 15th October 2013 Jim Roberts delivers a talk on Leicester Children’s Holiday Centre in Mablethorpe (pictured right). • 19th November 2013 Chris Mitchinson – Life as a Criminal Lawyer answering “How on earth can you act for someone you know is guilty?” How many times have you quoted that after an appalling crime has been committed! Come and find the answer a talk not to be missed.

Squeezed ‘sandwiches’

Millions of parents are “emotionally and financially overwhelmed” by the pressures of raising children while caring for their elderly relations, a recent report has warned. The ‘sandwich’ generation of 45-60 year olds are facing a battering on their finances, marriages, careers, and emotional well-being. The study was carried out by the charity Carers UK, and an alliance of employers including BT, Sainsburys and British Gas. A spokesman for Carers UK warned: “Care services and workplaces must catch up with this reality of family life.”

I bought a book on obedience seven years ago, but it turns out the dog is a slow reader.

14 Sport in Desford

Fun fitness activities for older adults

Voting about to start for sports awards

OLDER adults are being invited to take part in some fun-filled, fitness activities at Sport in Desford this autumn. The sessions are being held on certain Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12noon and the different activities on offer include: table tennis, new age curling, bowls and tennis. The mornings involve three different activities, each lasting for 30 minutes, with refreshment and social breaks in between. The programme is aimed at those over the age of 50. No booking is required; those who attend the first four mornings will get them at the half price of only £2.50 for each session. For more information please contact Graeme Chilvers on 01455 255678 or Anna MacDonald on 01455 255818.

Bradgate Drama Society

The Wizard of Oz ‘We’re off to see the Wizard’ at Bradgate Drama Society’s production of the Wizard of Oz. This year’s Christmas show promises an exciting musical journey as Dorothy, with her friends the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man, makes her way to the Land of Oz. ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ to Newtown Linford Village Hall for performances at 7.30 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday November 28th, 29th. and 30th and a matinee on Saturday afternoon at 2.30. Tickets are £7 and, though you may be able to get them ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, you’ll probably be better off ringing Sally on 01530 242263 or by emailing us at bradgatedrama@ gmail.com ‘If I only had a Brain’ I’d be going too!

VOTING is about to start for this year’s borough sports awards, run by the Hinckley and Bosworth Sport and Health Alliance. Now in its seventh year, the scheme has not only established itself as a fixture in the local sporting calendar, but is going from strengthto-strength with nominations growing every year. As well as honouring the achievements of individuals and teams, there are also awards for the veteran sportsman and sportswoman of the year, and the person judged to be making a major difference to sporting life in the borough. In addition, the celebration evening on 28 November at Bosworth College, Desford will acknowledge individuals who lead inspirational active lifestyles. Sue Houghton, Chair of Hinckley and Bosworth Sport and Health Alliance, said: “I know that within Hinckley and Bosworth we have a great depth of talent from the volunteers, who give of their time

LAUNCH: Sue Houghton (centre front) the Chair of the Hinckley and Bosworth Sport and Health Alliance, and Anna MacDonald (right) the borough’s Olympic Legacy Maker, together with members of the “Achieve With Us” football team at the launch of the sports awards. and expertise so freely, to the great performers who play their clubs and representative teams. “As a Sport and Health Alliance we want to celebrate, acknowledge and support the great talent we have in the borough. However, we can only do this with your help in submitting nominations and encouraging your colleagues to do so as well.” Voting forms will be available from Monday 7 October from the Sport and Health Alliance website (www.hbsha.org.uk/) or by phoning 01455 255678. Forms will also be distributed to sports clubs throughout the borough. Voting closes at 4pm on Friday 8 November.

Phone a friend Got a problem? Phone a friend. Unburdening yourself on the phone with a trusted confidante is just as helpful as going to see someone in person. So says a study carried out at Cambridge University. ‘Talking therapy’ for depression was found to be as effective when carried out on the phone as when it was done in person.

Piggy banks are back Where do you store your savings? Surprisingly, more of us are saving cash in a jar or under a mattress than in a bank or building society. It seems that 33 million people in the UK adults (that is 69 per cent of us) have a jar full of coins somewhere about the house, while only 21 million of us (that’s 44 per cent of us) put our money away each month in a savings account. The survey, done by Gocompare.com suggested that the nation’s coin jars may hold £1.26 billion, with the average pot containing £38.35. One answer to this is that since these days we have so little to save, why bother to go to the bank?

Every time I go to the pool in my bathing suit I can feel all the women dressing me with their eyes.

15

Charity coffee morning in Markfield

Ask About Our New

Seasons Beauty Day Spa in Main Street, Markfield are holding a coffee morning to raise money for the Macmillan charity.

Autumn Menu & Christmas Menu

The event takes place on 30th October 2013, between 10.00am -1.00pm. As well as the usual tea, coffee and cakes to buy, we will also be holding a ‘Bake off ’ competition for locals who love to Bake. People will sample, then vote for their favourite cake, ballot box style and the winner will receive a voucher for a treatment of their choice.

How to meet other people (who are worth meeting) Are you worried that this autumn/winter may be a lonely time for you? Here are some ideas to help you meet other like-minded people and build your social life: • Join a book club or set up on your own with friends, to discuss literature. • Arrange a coffee morning in your home or a local hall – you could even hold a cake sale to raise money for a worthy cause • Sign up for evening classes – a good way to meet people while also learning to paint, cook, or speak a foreign language. • Make an effort to arrange some after-work activities with colleagues • Join a gym or slimming club and be sociable while working on your healthy lifestyle.

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

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I woke up the Police station this morning with no memory of the previous night. I really need to stop drinking on duty.

16

Stanton Under Bardon Parish Council Minutes Here are the Unapproved Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3rd September 2013 at The Youth Club, Stanton under Bardon, Leicestershire at 7.00pm COMMUNITY POLICE COMMENTS No crime reported in the village. Complaints have been raised again with regards to parking on the pavements on Bell Close. PC Williams confirmed that he had spoken to residents there and if there are any further problems they could then be issued with a fixed penalty for unnecessary obstruction on a highway. There is a similar problem on Preston Close, Police to speak to Wilson’s regarding this. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Report provided by Mr Sprason. The 120 bus service needs to be used more and weekly tickets can now be bought for this service. Savings need to be made by the County Council to accommodate for Budget Cuts, the consultation ends for this on the 15/09/13 this can be completed on line. It was available in the Leicestershire Matters Newsletter but this is not delivered to every household in the village. With regard to rural broadband HBBC are still not putting any funding in towards this. Mr Sprason was notified with regard to problems to the Annex Road located off Main Street where the Bungalows are, as the road is in a poor state and the Street Lamp is obstructed by trees, There is an issue of who owns this land, be it the Borough or LCC - Mr Sprason and Mr Lay to look into this to see if this can be resolved. BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S REPORT With regard to Rural Broadband other sources need to be looked at where money can come from to help with the funding of this. HBBC have done a scientific assessment with regard to Wind Turbines and we may see more planning applications being applied for. The Policy Framework will be sent out shortly for consultation to look at areas where wind Turbines would be of benefit as alternative energy sources. No date has yet been set for Mr Milner’s appeal with regard to his planning application. There are changes going to be made to the new homes bonus where less than 25% may be given to Parish Councils. Community policing may also be reduced. Lucy Drexler raised a query with Mr Lay as to her waste collection

Congratulations to the GCSE class of 2013

Groby Community College is pleased to announce a strong set of GCSE results from the class of 2013.

as she was told the Council would only collect 3 bags. Matthew to look into this but advised Mrs Drexler she could put out more as he thought an agreement had been reached on this. PARISH PROPERTIES Bottom & Top Allotments Inspection and Letters Due to recent correspondence from the Allotment Guardians, the Council made the following statement: The Parish council does not recognize the guardians as the Contracts signed by the allotment users states that they are the Tenants and the Council will only deal with the Tenants directly. A letter will be sent out to the Allotment Holders who signed the letter with more information. The Council also stated that Fly Tipping has started taken place on the Bottom Allotments and this will not be tolerated and if seen will be reported to the Borough Council. Street Naming Due to the Post office indication that the Parish Council’s suggestion of The Paddocks may be an issue due to there being one in Markfield it was decided that the name will be Luke Jackson Close. (see details below as to the relevance to the village) In AD 1630 Mr. Luke Jackson, citizen and girdler of London, gave by will, Jan.26 1630, onethird part of the great tithes of Stanton-under-Bardon in the Parish of Thornton to the poor of the parish forever; paying to the Vicar of Thornton out of it, yearly, two pounds for preaching two sermons in this parish, one on 28th July, in remembrance of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588; the other on the 5th November in commemoration of the great deliverance from the Powder Plot,1605.From “An Historical Sketch of the Parish of Thornton, Bagworth and Stanton-underBardon” by Rev.H.R.Cooper1905. PLANNING APPLICATIONS/ PERMISSIONS/REFUSALS Section 106 Contributions Quotes to be obtained for Play Equipment - Site visit planned for Thursday 12th September at 9.00am. Clerk to get catalogues so new Notice Boards can be provided for the village.

The college has increased the number of good GCSE passes for the 3rd year running to 96% 5A*- C in 2013 (up 2% from 2012). The 5A*- C with English and Maths measure is slightly lower than in 2012 at 60% although this mirrors the national picture. Overall results per student are higher with the capped point score rising meaning that overall the best 8 GCSEs for each student are of a better quality. This means that every student, whatever their ability or background, is achieving really well. There are a number of individual successes including: • Callum Tebbatt with 13 As and A*s • Phoebe Coleman with 12 As and A*s • Antony Bennett with 11 As and A*s The college has bucked the national trend for GCSE Science with 71% of the current Year 10 achieving A*- C at the end of the first year. Robert Coles, Principal said that he ’was thrilled for the students and staff who have worked incredibly hard to get these results against a backdrop of changes and shifting grade boundaries. Many of the students put in hours of extra work at college and at home to achieve these results and deserve the success.’ Superstar A Level students achieve highest ever results 2013 A huge congratulations goes out to the A Level class of 2013 who have achieved record results this summer. These are well deserved results for a year group who have worked extremely hard over the last two years to secure their places at university, college or employment. • 36% of all A Levels are graded at A and A* (14% increase from 2012). • 64% of all A Levels are graded at A* to B. This is the main measure of attainment that is used to judge the college and shows an increase of 18% from 2012. • 83% of all grades were awarded at A*- C (increase from 77% in 2012). • 100% A* to E It is impossible to mention all students and we apologise for only listing some of the top performers. All students completing A Levels do extremely well as the qualifications are challenging and hard to achieve. Some of our highest performing students include: • Katie Severn with 4 A* (University of Nottingham). • Dominic Hall with 4 A* (University of Cambridge) • Sarah Bedder with 3 Distinction* (Leeds Met University) • Alex Prowse with 3 A* (University of Sheffield) • Rebecca Broad with 3A*, 2A and 1B (University of Exeter) • Michael Robinson with 2A* and 1A (University of Manchester) • Vanessa Tsai with 2A* and 2A (University of Central London) • Kamran Obhi with 2A* and 1B (University of Warwick) We wish all of our A Level students all the best for the future.

Dementia and Hinckley & Bosworth… join the conversation A FREE EVENT FOR RESIDENTS OF THE BOROUGH OF HINCKLEY AND BOSWORTH Tuesday 8th October 2013, 9am – 1.45pm, Atkins Building, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, LE10 1QU For further details or to secure your place, please email Katherine Brown at beautyandutilityarts@hotmail.co.uk with the subject headline October 8th or call on (07908) 750187.

Saw a flying saucer today. It appeared right after the flying cup that my girlfriend threw at me.

17 Letter from Uncle Eustace

On the perils of Harvest The Rectory St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren In the unlikely event of ever being put in charge of designing the course for those being trained for ordination, I would make a few significant changes. Modules on doctrine, Church history and Greek would all be dropped as unnecessary. In their place, I would add courses on how to run a tight jumble sale, ways to keep your church council in order – and especially close to my heart at present, how to negotiate Harvest. The first skirmish starts in early Summer when it becomes clear that the flower arrangers’ plans mean that the choir would disappear behind a huge array of chrysanthemums. The choir then retaliate by announcing that their Harvest anthem must take place just when the Sunday School intended to re-enact the parable of the Good Samaritan. They, in turn, raise the stakes by insisting that a stage will be needed for their performance, thus ensuring that I will be separated from the congregation by an impenetrable barricade. In September, therefore, there is the traditional meeting to iron out all these little difficulties. This inevitably results with the annual act of the verger handing in his resignation, of the bell ringers threatening a mass walk-out, and those who organise coffee afterwards demanding that my sermon lasts no more than 3 minutes, so there will be plenty of time for socialising after the Service. I greet all suggestions with a spontaneous burst of indifference, smile, agree with it all – and do nothing (this, incidentally, is a good policy for all decision-making). Inevitably, everything goes ahead exactly as it has always done for the last century. Come the day, there will be the usual arrangement of eggs round the font, with the strategically placed card saying “Given anonymously by Elsie Jones” and the pyramid of apples temptingly near the choirboys, so designed that when someone tries to pinch one during the sermon, the whole pile disintegrates as they roll all over the chancel. On the following Friday, all will leave after the Harvest Supper saying that the entertainment was worse than the previous year and that the absence of red cabbage had quite ruined the hot pot. Everyone therefore has an enjoyable evening My Harvest training course would be compulsory and a pass mark of 90% would be needed before ordination could be considered. Your loving uncle,

Eustace

How tall? How wide?! Keep your waist down to half your height – if you want to live for longer. A recent study has found that measuring the ratio of your waist to your height is an even better way of predicting life expectancy than body mass index (BMI), the method widely used by doctors at present. Men with waistlines that measure 80 percent of their height live on average 17 years less than men with slimmer waistlines. Keeping your waist circumference to less than half of your height can help prevent stroke, heart disease and diabetes, and add years of life. Measuring someone’s waist is important because it accounts for levels of central fat that accumulate around the organs. The research was carried out at Oxford Brookes University.

I talk to myself a lot, and it bothers people because I use a megaphone.

18

What’s been happening at Markfield Community Centre Report from Ron Grantham of Markfield Community Association

Skate Park – Official Opening and Fund Raising “Discothon”

villager and former club DJ Dave Sprason played a non stop selection of old vinyl records. Our aim was to achieve £500 but mainly due to the efforts of Carol Berridge and Amanda Wilkes we far exceeded this by raising in the region £700. Once again many thanks to all who supported both the Skate Park project and our fund raising event.

The official opening of the village’s new skate park took place during the afternoon of Saturday 7th September.

On the night of Saturday 31st August and into the early hours of Sunday morning the village was plagued with appalling music, noise and quite frankly anti-social behaviour.

Despite the predictions of heavy rain the Markfield weather was kind to us for once and allowed us to have a most enjoyable opening ceremony. The event not only celebrated the opening of our exciting new skate park but also gave us an opportunity to thank all those who helped fund the project and undertook voluntary work to complete the project. The actual opening was conducted by Jeff and Josie Cooper, Trustees of the Markfield Miner’s Welfare Institute, ably assisted by Josh Sharratt who had the honour of actually cutting the opening ribbon. Commemorative plaques were presented by County Councillor Pam Posnett on behalf of the BIG Society and Shires funds and also by Cllr Bill Crookes on behalf of the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s Community Play Scheme Fund. To me the highlight was the planting of a ceremonial field maple tree obtained by Tony Lockley and kindly donated by James Coles and Sons Nursery Thurnby. Brad Thorne and Aidan Pearson took charge of digging the hole and planting the tree then they were joined by a melee of people who all took turns to fill the hole and securely plant the tree. It will be interesting to see which survives the longest – the tree or the skate park! After the celebration event and at the request of our young users we held a 12 hour non-stop charity “DISCOTHON” to raise funds for Help 4 Heroes and the Leicestershire Air Ambulance. So, from 6pm that evening until 6am the following day

Noise Nuisance

Disturbingly many people thought this annoying behaviour was emanating from the Community Centre. This was not the case and was in fact coming from a “rave” at a site next to Junction 21. I can assure you that when we run functions at the Centre we take every opportunity to respect our neighbours and residents by ensuring that any noise and the behaviour of our customers is contained within the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and respectful of people’s comfort zones. If you hear any rumours of future raves please let us know and we will inform the authorities so that we can all enjoy peaceful nights in the future.

New at the centre • Tea Dance Session By popular demand we have started fortnightly Tea Dance sessions at the Centre on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at a cost of only £2.50p per session. If you want to come along to learn dance steps, refresh your dancing or simply enjoy a social occasion with your friends simply come along and join in the fun. Refreshments and licensed bar are available too. For further information please contact the Centre or your hosts Joe and Doreen Winter on 01530 271960.

• Matt Elliott Football Development Scheme Some of you will remember Matt Elliott as a former player and captain of Leicester City Football Club and as a Foxes supporter I am delighted to inform you that he is starting football coaching sessions at the Centre as follows: •

Wednesday evenings Development Centre from 5pm to 8pm from 2nd October to 27th November • Saturday morning Soccer School from 10.30pm to 12md • Wednesday Development Centre late afternoons from 4.30pm to 6pm So here is your chance for children aged 5 to 13 year old to learn football skills from a Foxes Legend. For further details contact free phone number 0800 2922672.

My grandfather’s a little forgetful, but he likes to give me advice. One day, he took me aside and left me there.

19 • Slapdash Arts – Performing Arts

• Sport Relief

A new Slapdash Arts programme of performing arts is starting at the Centre as from Friday 4th October.

We have been approached by Sport Relief to once again put on a fund raising Sport Relief sponsored “race”.

This is a great opportunity for youngsters to have fun, learn new skills and develop new ones through performing arts that include street dancing, singing, drama and play writing. It is also great for building their confidence, improving literacy and language skills. Children with special needs are particularly welcome. Sessions cost £3 and are from 3.30pm to 4.30pm for under eights and 4.45pm to 6pm for the over eights. For further information contact Dawn Summers on 07788 375845 or email dawnsummers@ slapdash.co.uk.

Forthcoming Events for your diary • Jazz Night On Saturday 12th October our very own Jane Thompson is organising one of her special Jazz Nights to raise funds for DEBRA that supports research for people that suffer from the agonizing and presently incurable Butterfly Syndrome. Once again the splendid Hiss “N” Boo Jazz Band will be getting you stomping to traditional jazz songs and their very own jazzed up versions of popular songs. Indeed a night not to be missed. For tickets please contact Jane on 01530 242206.

• Halloween Party Hasn’t the year flown by so quickly and once again we will be holding our traditional junior youth club Halloween Party. I must admit that I have already been looking for new and “scary” Halloween items for the party that will take place at the junior youth club on Tuesday 29th October 7pm to 8.30pm. The party will include traditional Halloween games, pumpkin lantern making, fancy dress and of course our infamous and spooky Halloween chamber. Come along and join in the fun and don’t forget your fancy dress as there will be prizes for the best dressed.

• National Blood Service

For those who wish to donate much needed blood the National Blood Service will be at the Centre on Wednesday 11th December.

• “Stay, Stay, Stay, Stay, Staying Alive” I am pleased to inform you that we were successful in our bid to the Community Forum for funding towards a Staying Alive project. What’s this all about? Well briefly from conversations with our Centre users we have found that people would like to know more about essential first aid, what to do if they have concerns about a child at risk or a vulnerable person or where they can get help and support for a friend, neighbour or relative who has alcohol or drug misuse problems. So, we are putting together a mini course that will address these concerns and give you invaluable training and information for if or when these issues may arise. We are hoping to put on the courses in November at times suitable to you. The courses will be open to anyone aged 18 and above and further details will be given in next month’s edition of the Herald and on our notice boards

This is a bi-annual event and at our last event in 2012 we raised nearly £1,500 for Sport Relief. The next event will take place on the 23rd March 2014 so, you have plenty of time to get your running shoes on and do a few practice laps.

Committee Secretary We are still looking for a reliable person to fill the role of Secretary to the Centre’s Management Committee. We are looking for someone who has either a bit of spare time on their hands, wants to improve their experience or CV or simply would like to become a volunteer and help us out. I can promise you that and we will give you every help and support. The post includes attending meetings (up to six a year), recording minutes and sending out agendas and related meeting papers. It would be useful if you have a computer and email access though not essential. As a little reward the Committee is offering an annual honorarium of £100 paid in quarterly installments of £25. If you are interested please contact the Centre as your help would be much appreciated

Book Your Money Saving Special Offer Don’t forget that we still have a special offer available of free room hire for bar functions that will help you out with the cost of special events, family occasions, parties and other celebrations. For further information please contact the Centre. For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST, ring us on 01530 242240 or email at markfieldcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk Visit our website at www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com to see our facilities, latest news, photo gallery and information about the Centre.

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0116 275 0101 (home) 07880 973 742 (mobile) Why don’t people who believe in reincarnation leave all their money to themselves?

20 Advice Growth Business Apprenticeships

Mentoring

Tuesday 8 October 2013

The George Ward Centre, Church Lane, Barwell, Leicestershire LE9 8DG

Book your free place today! 2.30pm Find out about apprenticeships and mentoring

and the benefits to your business from, Caterpillar and the Federation of Small Businesses

2.50pm Learn about transport and broadband solutions for your company from Leicestershire County Council

3.10pm Hear about regional growth funds and what they can

do for your business from Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) in addition to information about the Better Business for All Programme

To secure your place or for more information please contact:

Nicola Lees on 0116 305 7986 or email nicola.lees@leics.gov.uk

Have your say on health and social care services Hinckley and Bosworth residents asked to speak out on health and social care services Healthwatch Leicestershire (HWL) is running a public consultation event for residents in and around Hinckley and Bosworth on Tuesday 5 November 2013 from 2pm-4pm at The Atkins building on Lower Bond Street. The event is an opportunity for residents to tell the organisation their thoughts and concerns about the health and social care services in Hinckley and Bosworth, so that HWL is able to work towards improving them. The event is one of a number of public consultation events being held across the county by HWL that invite the general public to speak up about their concerns relating to health and social care services. HWL is currently in the process of setting it priorities and is hoping to gain input from the public to help set five key local issues that will be the focus of their work to improve health and social care services in Leicestershire. For more information or to book onto the events please visit the Healthwatch Leicestershire website www.healthwatchleicestershire.co.uk/ events

Appeal for information My name is Walter John Bevins. My grandfather’s name is on the War Memorial in Bagworth. In addition, a relative of mine is buried in Holy Rood Churchyard, Bagworth. Her name is Eliza Grace Bevins. She was my grandfather’s sister and died aged 29. I know that someone has put flowers on her grave and I would like to get in touch with that person as they may be a relative of mine. If you can help, my telephone number is 07960 421615. I hope someone can help me.

I hate it when my foot falls asleep during the day, because that means it will be up all night.

21

Letter

Get hula hooping and raise funds for Meningitis UK! My 7 year old daughter was struck down with meningococcal septicaemia on the 26th June 2013.

Hula Hoopathon! Mercenfeld Primary School, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE679WG Saturday 26th October 2013 - 11.00am2.00pm

She was treated at the Leicester Join supporters of the Royal Infirmary Children’s Meningitis Trust / Meningitis Hospital. The staff at the UK for a Hooptastic Day of hospital were amazing, caring, hula hooping fun! professional, supportive and went above and beyond to Starting with a basic warmensure that Grace got well. Grace up and introduction to hula responded really well to the hooping fun, followed by a treatment. Myself, my partner, short lesson of hoop moves my 9 year daughter Ruby and then fun hoop activities, then grandparents and close friends the main event - The Hula were all treated prophylactically Hoopathon! as well. Grace was discharged a All ages are welcome, week later having made what we anyone can hoop with the all thought was a full recovery. help and support of John Over the next 10 days, she Parnell ‘The Hoop Guy’! became unwell again and Tickets cost £12 per adult on Friday the 12th July she and £8 per child – and you was readmitted to hospital with clinical septicaemia. The start of another get to keep your hoop! Lots nightmare. Again the staff were amazing, Grace requested to go back to more fun activities planned ward 14, as she had such a good time the first time round! Again she was for the day including a treated with IV antibiotics for a week and this time made a full recovery. Its Zumba Demonstration, a complete miracle that she has had two life threatening infections and has Zen Goshin Ryu Karate suffered no lasting effects or damage. She is an amazing little girl, she never Demonstration, raffle, complained once, she is positive and happy and made some fabulous friends refreshments and lots more! at the hospital. Lets HOOP our way to a From my point of view the whole experience was terrifying and would never meningitis-free future! wish another parent to have to go through that experience, which sadly I For more information, know they will. This is why I want to help to raise much need money for the check our the Hula meningitis UK charity. A simple vaccine could save thousands of lives. Hoopathon Facebook Event Together with Meningitis UK and John The Hoop Guy, I am holding a Page or to purchase tickets, Hula Hooping event. The event will include 2 hours of Hoop training, visit our online Registration dancing and a hoop marathon attempt. We will also have Zumba and Karate Page. demonstrations. We are hoping to attract a lot of attention, especially with hooping being the latest fitness craze. The event will take place on Saturday 26th October at 11am. It is being held at Mercenfeld Primary School in Markfield - the school where both of my children attend. To register please go to: www.Meningitis-trust.org and click on fundraising, central and east england events page. All the registration details are there. You need to register early to get a place. You get to keep the hoop! • There will also be self defence lessons on the day provided by Zen Goshin Ryu Karate school. They will cost £5 with all proceeds going to the charity.

Zena

Tents don’t have plugs

Many children refuse to go camping because there is nowhere to charge their phones, watch TV or access the internet. Unlike their children, four out of ten adults like the simple pleasures of camping and a third said it let them ‘escape’. The study was by E.On, who is working with the Scout Association to create a tent which uses wind turbines and solar panels to produce power.

I just made my hamster a strong coffee. I don’t want him falling asleep at the wheel.

22

More traveller pitches in Bagworth?

Borough Councillors’ Report Chris Boothby & Ozzy O’Shea

We have been contacted recently due to the state of the roads adjacient to the former Maynard pub site in Bagworth.

Dear Residents Back in Jan 2009, we were presented with a document entitled the Gypsy & Traveller site allocations document which sought to identify possible pitches which had to be identified for the provision of sites under the then-emerging local development framework. Nothing has happened with this document for over 4 years as the ruling administration declared that they would stop any further lawful development of Gypsy & Traveller sites or extending the present ones. We have just acquired a copy of their new evidence-based report from paid consultants which identify new sites - and extending used sites - in Bagworth. The report which has been through an executive meeting of senior officers and members of the ruling administration at HBBC has a date on it of Jan 2013. This suggests that - for whatever reason - they have sat on this report for 8 months with NO attempt to consult with other members. The report, which forms the evidence base for the administration to bring a final report to full council, has identified the need for a 10-pitch site which is required as soon as possible. The site at Earl Shilton, which has recently gained planning permission - but is subject now to a judicial review - will satisfy that need. However, a further 30 pitches have been identified for the Borough up until 2026. Contained within this report is the shocking fact for Bagworth residents that 15 more pitches are earmarked for the village. Three sites have been identified : • 2 pitches on the site known as Traveller’s Rest on Station Terrace • 6 more pitches on Costalot, which they claim have existing planning permission to extend • 7 more pitches on Finney’s land on Heath Rd. The site on Station Terrace has been abandoned for years; Costalot does not have existing permission; and the Heath Road site is now derelict and has been for some time. Chris & Ozzy have been requesting that enforcement officers contact the owner of the Heath Road site and serve a notice

Persimmon Homes Development

requiring them to return the land back to how it was, but we are told that the owner cannot be found. So, the question arises: how can these consultants put forward these three sites as potential Gypsy & Traveller pitches as they are privately owned, and the owners are apparently not contactable ? Obviously we will do everything in our power to stop this from happening, but it is interesting to note that there is not one pitch identified in Hinckley. We have no idea when this may come before full council but as soon as we do know, we will need your support to prevent this.

Where have our street sweepers gone? Residents should be aware that the ruling administration has just published a report that has been sanctioned by Full Council that extols the virtue of the service provided by H.B.B.C. in

respect of street cleaning. Whilst we admire and applaud the dedication of the staff, this is only true if you live in and around Hinckley. We get an awful amount of complaints from local residents who don’t see a street sweeper from one year to the next. In 2008, the Lib/Dems purchased 5 mechanical walk-behind road sweepers with the promise that these would be deployed Borough wide. The cost of these was £55,000. It now seems, only 5 years later, that these machines were quickly deemed not fit for purpose and mothballed at the Council’s storage area known as the depot. Chris understands that 2 out of the 5 have just been sold for a measly £500 each with a further £3,000 for ongoing maintenance to the remaining three. Chris has also understands that 2 out of the remaining 3 are being used for parts to keep the remaining one machine going. Not only that, it appears that the Council only has one operator qualified to use this machine and they have never been deployed outside of the Hinckley area. Makes you wonder where your money is going doesn’t it ?

This seems to be an ongoing issue due to mud on the roads from construction vehicles entering and leaving the site. There are also issues with a traffic light system in place on Jackson Road. Chris has visited the site (not for the first time) and held talks with the site manager (Nigel) to express local residents concerns. He has assured us that he is doing everything possible to keep the roads as clean as possible using his own on-site cleaner and utilizing a driven road sweeper. Chris has contacted enforcement officers to see if this was a requirement of the planning permission but it isn’t, as Highways (LCC) made no such request. Nigel has said that he would be happy to talk to residents concerning this matter but we will be monitoring the situation closely.

And Finally... Chris is happy to welcome back Ozzy from his well deserved break in France, not only to return Sadie his beloved dog that Chris has been looking after, but now you have us both to look after your interests. I see an exciting time ahead. Please feel free to contact us at any time as we are only a phone call away. Regards

Chris & Ozzy Working for you.

Charming little film on YouTube A friend of mine recently told me about a charming little film about a Leicester bicycle repair shop on YouTube. You can find it online by searching for: “Bob Warner Bike Shop - A Day In The Life”. It’s only five minutes long, and it takes the form of a short interview with ‘John’, who runs the shop. Take a look - it’s really good.

I’m looking at my laughter lines and thinking ... what was ever that funny?

23

Winter Is Coming – Now Is The Time To Get A Heating Health Check In Gas Safety Week timely advice came from TrustMark and its scheme operator B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association) on the importance of boiler safety and efficiency. Gas is the most commonly used fuel for home heating systems across the country and, although completely safe in principle, a lack of routine maintenance means that around 50 people still needlessly die every year with hundreds more made seriously ill from preventable carbon monoxide poisoning. Roderick Pettigrew, Chief Executive of B&ES, one of the first organisations to be appointed a TrustMark scheme operator when it was launched in 2006, comments, “Regrettably, too many homeowners rely on old or inefficient boilers or heaters and research shows that 1 in 4 gas-fired appliances in use around the UK are potentially dangerous. More than two thirds of reported cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are connected to central heating appliances and half of these are older central heating boilers. “If your boiler or other gas appliances like a cooker or gas-fired heater are more three years old or have been infrequently serviced in the past, we strongly advise that you contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to have them inspected and serviced. “Whilst safety is the first priority, with energy bills at stubbornly high levels and the average household dual fuel bill now around £1300, it really is false economy to forgo what should be an annual service and safety check – a well maintained boiler burns up to 10% less fuel than a poorly maintained one and that can mean very important energy savings”

MARKFIELD, RATBY & GROBY COMMUNITY FORUM Thursday 10th October 2013 6.30pm South Charnwood High School, Broad Lane, Markfield, LE67 9TB Leicestershire’s Future - How is the County Council planning ahead?

Find out about Good Neighbours Scheme.

What are the issues affecting your community?

Also! Community Forum Budget 2013 project update Hinckley & Bosworth’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2014-17

www.leicestershireforums.org

Need assistance to attend? Please let us know Tel: 0116 305 7034

Reaching under the couch for something is the closest I’ll ever get to yoga.

24

The Bricklayer’s Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays We now have SKY and ESPN Ask about our new Autumn and Christmas menus! See ad on page 15. www.bricklayersarms.net The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open To Non-members Fri 4th Oct: Rockin Robins Rock N Roll - Free Admission Sat 12th Oct: Joe Public Fri 18th Oct: Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll Sat 19th Oct - A 1940’s Dad’s Army Evening, Prize For The Best 1940’s Costume. Then Travelling Through The Years To Present Day As The Evening Goes On. Fri 26th Oct: Riot Act Fri 1st Nov: Charity Evening “For Elliott’s Vest” With The Dirty Water Band And Special Guest Mr Simon Henley As Elvis Presley Sat 2nd Nov: Devils Rejects Sun 3rd Nov: Children’s Halloween Party - 3pm - 5 pm Fri 8th Nov: James Bond Casino Evening Sat 9th Nov: The Del Sharrons Fri 15th Nov: Rockin Robins - Rock N Roll - Free Admission Sky Sports Are Back - Bingo Every Tuesday - No Membership Required - www.facebook.com/The Club Thornton The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 Sat 26th Oct: SUZIE SCOTT LEE - female vocalist Sat 30th Nov: A Male Vocalist TBA Sat 28th Dec: MIKE LEE - male vocalist ALL SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 Find us on FACEBOOK - search Bagworth WMC New members welcome. Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each - last Friday of the month Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.50 admission 8 pm Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. Sat 5th October: BAGWORTH OPEN SHOW - PART 2 Sat 26th Oct: STEVE COOPER free live entertainment. Sat 9th November: The 1940s Night with Amy C. £5.00 entry on the door, but only £4.00 if you dress in 1940s attire! Doors open 7.30pm. Tues 31st Dec: Looking Ahead to New Year’s Eve - AXIS DUO

will be playing their last ever gig! £1 entry. Ask about our free room hire for those special family occasions. The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 4th Oct: CLASSIC ROCK Tribute Fri 25th Oct: TINA TURNER See ad on page 34. The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Garden & Pub Games etc. POKER NIGHT - Tuesdays - starts at 8pm Sat 2nd Nov: JOHN STACEY Guitar/Vocalist, Rock ‘N’ Roll The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights Every Fortnight:- Next is on Sat 12th October with ‘King of the Road’. See ad on page 13. Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Leicester Road, Groby Tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk Sat 12th Oct: Meatloaf + Cher Tribute Sun 13th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50 ‘Bingo And Quiz Fri 18th Oct: Adam James Wilford - Very Good Entertainer Sat 19th Oct: Straight Jacket - Excellent Full Show Sun 20th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 25th Oct: No EntertainmentOnly Bingo In The Carling Suite Sat 26th Oct: Soul Providers - Brilliant Duo Sun 27th Oct: Super Sunday ‘50’ bingo And Quiz Fri 1st Nov: Backstreet Quality Male Duo Sat 2nd Nov: Chrissy - Very Good Local Entertainer Sun 3rd Nov: Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz Fri 8th Nov: Cats Eyes - Very Good Male/Female Duo Sat 9th Nov: Cracker Jack Comedy And Music From These Sun 10th Nov: Jill Daniels Lunchtime Tribute To Vera Lynn Then Super Sunday ‘50’ Bingo And Quiz

My therapist said I have multiple personalities and rage issues. So we hit him.

25

News from Cross Hills Baptist Church

Serving the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area

Harvest Festival Service, 15th September Our Harvest Festival Service had to be held a week earlier than usual this year and was not as published in the September Herald – we hope no-one was disappointed. The donations of food made a lovely display at the front of the church and our Sunday Club children, in the traditional way, brought small food baskets and boxes to the front during the service to be put on the Harvest table. Everything from the table was then taken after the service to the Hinckley Homeless Project at Lawrence House, Hinckley. A Harvest Appeal had been received from BMS World Mission to help the world’s hungry and those whose harvest had failed or their working animals had perished, so our special Harvest offering of £100 that was collected was sent to this special appeal.

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal If you would like to be involved this year, you will need a leaflet that gives you all the information about what can be put in a box and includes a label for the outside. You can get these from Glynis or David Straw at 110 Main Street, Thornton or ring them on 01530 230272. Please note that the box and lid need to be wrapped separately and the leaflet includes and envelope (to be put in the box) for the £3 donation to cover transportation costs, to make sure that the boxes reach the children they are intended for. Alternatively,

the donation can be made online the leaflet tells you how to do this.

DEADLINES •

Boxes completed by 31st October should be brought to 110 Main Street, Thornton • Boxes completed between 1st and 15th November should be taken to Ivan and Joyce Marriott at 85 Station Road, Bagworth • Boxes can be brought to the Cross Hills church morning service between 6th October and 10th November. ALL BOXES MUST BE COMPLETED BY 15TH NOVEMBER PLEASE You can watch stories about the shoeboxes at www. operationchristmaschild.org.uk Details of our Services are in the Church Service Information section in this magazine if you wish to join us on any Sunday. We serve tea and coffee after our services and always make anyone who is visiting for the first time feel welcome.

Contact Numbers • • • •

Pastor - Garry Kelly: 07816 616189 Secretary - Lynda Kelly: 07910 440243 Treasurer - Glynis Straw: 01530 230272 Parish Nurse - Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Free trees for hedges Landowners are being given the opportunity to help add to Leicestershire’s “patchwork quilt” of hedgerows by applying for free packs of trees and hedging plants. The County Hall based Stepping Stones Project has teamed up with the Woodland Trust to help encourage farmers and community groups to provide much-needed habitats for wildlife by planting hedges and hedgerow trees. Applicants can apply for packs containing 100 metres of native hedging and 25 trees for planting on publicly accessible land or land that is visible from a public right of way or highway. This includes agricultural and recreational land, but not private gardens. The trees are available to communities in the Stepping Stones Project area – more on this and the scheme can be found at www.leics. gov.uk/trees_make_hedges To find out more, or to apply, please contact the project on 0116 305 7221 or 7264. NB: The free offer does not include planting

Glynis Straw Treasurer - on behalf of the Cross Hills Church family

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Major push from the NSPCC to stop abuse before it starts The new CEO of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, says that we can achieve a massive reduction in child abuse if more is done to prevent it before it starts. The claim comes as the children’s charity launches its ‘Now I Know’ campaign, asking people in Leicestershire to help them put ChildLine in every primary school in Leicestershire with visits once every two years to talk to children about abuse, how to protect themselves and where to get help if they need it. The pioneering ChildLine Schools Service is a major shift towards preventative work designed to equip children with the knowledge they need to act with confidence if they fear abuse, before it does terrible and lasting harm. This builds on the charity’s other services which now increasingly focus on preventative work with adults, so the risks of abuse are removed or acted upon more quickly. The need for a preventative service of this kind is underlined by a new study conducted for the charity by YouGov, which shows that only just over a third (35%) of adults in the East Midlands taking part in the survey think they would have been able to recognise abuse if it was happening to them at primary school and less than a quarter (24%) claim that they would have known who to ask for help if they were being abused when they were aged 9-11. Over three-quarters (78%) thought that educating children aged 9 -11 in an age appropriate way about what abuse is and where to get help in a school environment could be a powerful weapon against child abuse. The Service has already visited 2,598 children in 32 schools in Leicester and Leicestershire and has proved incredibly popular with parents and teachers. 99 per cent of schools across the UK who provided feedback in 2012/13 claimed that their pupils’ knowledge of child abuse and bullying was enhanced as a result, whilst 91 per cent stated that their pupils were now more aware of who to talk to if they felt unsafe. NSPCC Chief Executive, Peter Wanless, said: “People in this country do not want to tolerate child abuse. We no longer need to convince them of the suffering it leads to, or the costs to future lives – Jimmy Savile’s crimes are one shocking illustration of the consequences when people do not speak up and are not heard, for whatever reason. But we must now inspire everyone to believe that such horrors can be prevented and that they can help. “Protection after the event, vital as it is, can’t attack the root causes of the problem. Like us, many professionals and organisations are developing new thinking on prevention and the future tide of child abuse cannot be turned without this. By helping children understand and identify abuse in an age appropriate way, we can encourage them to speak out earlier and protect themselves and others from the devastating effects of abuse. “We want children to be able to say ‘Now I Know’ – and not, ‘I wish I had known’. And we want everyone to play their part by looking out for children and reinforcing the messages about speaking up.” NSPCC research shows that, on average, at least two children in every primary classroom will have suffered some form of abuse or neglect1. But ChildLine, a service provided by the NSPCC, says the majority of children who contact its helpline are aged over 11 and often talk about abuse that happened months or even years earlier. From 2016, the ChildLine Schools Service, which will be delivered by trained volunteers and provided for free to all primary schools across the UK, aims to help children aged 9-11 understand abuse. They will give them the confidence to talk about it, the knowledge to prevent it and the courage to find help if they ever need it. Peter Wanless added: “Child abuse costs the UK billions of pounds every year, and that’s without taking into account the human costs. As we know, the National Audit Office estimates that only six per cent of public expenditure is focused on stopping problems from emerging in the first place. “Through Now I Know we are responding to the vital shift ‘upstream’ to prevention with a unique UK-wide service that we know works and will enable us to empower younger children to prevent abuse from happening.” To find out more, visit www.nowiknow.org.uk

Trinity Methodist Church 6-7pm Wednesdays 16th October 13th November Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments available. All are welcome, whether or not you feel church is for you. Further information: Karen (249829) or Rosemary (242844)

St Michael’s Church

Harvest Supper

Thursday 17th October

7 for 7.30pm Congregational Church Hall, Markfield Tickets will be available in church

St. Michael’s Church November Fayre Saturday 9th November 10 am till 12 noon Congregational Church Hall raffle, gifts, cakes refreshments All welcome

Discover Markfield’s local his tory with the new Village Trail leaflet Markfield Local History Group has published a Village Trail leaflet. This fully illustrated leaflet enables people to take an interesting walk and discover our local history. It starts in the public car park on Main Street and gives glimpses of earlier times as well as wonderful views of the surrounding area. The trail takes between 1 and 2 hours but the route returns to the car park about halfway through so it can be done in two halves. It’s a delightful way to spend a few hours. Copies of the leaflet are available from Ann Lay, 8 Oakfield Avenue (telephone 242166) or are obtainable from members of Markfield Local History Group at a price of 50p each.

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Clear the Rubble Day at Markfield Scout Hut Markfield Scouts took part in a Clear the Rubble Day at the Markfield Scout Hut on 8th September 2013. Around 25 helpers attended including Beavers, Cubs, scouts and explorers, leaders and parents. Hot dogs and refreshments were provided. The exercise was a huge success and the Scout hut grounds are now looking amazing. There is still a little work to do but everyone is very pleased with the hard work from all that attended through out the day.

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Craft fair and art sale in Ratby Ratby’s Craft Fair and Exhibition & Sale of Paintings is taking place over the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November between 10am and 3pm each day at Ratby Sports Club, Desford Lane, Ratby. Quality crafts include jewellery, designer scarves, traditional wooden toys, felt hats, woodturning, pottery, textiles, soaps and hand-made cards. Paintings by local artists will be for sale. There will also be Good Food Stalls with chutneys, preserves, jams, pickles, cakes and baking. Admission is £1 for adults or £2 for families. Refreshments available by Ratby WI.

Tea dances in Ratby Starting on Wednesday 23rd October, TEA DANCES are being held fortnightly in Ratby Sports Club from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a mix of Ballroom, Latin and Popular Sequence Dancing, and FAB-U-LOUS music from Edie ‘The Collector’ (DJ and Host). Admission is £2.50 on the door, which includes tea and biscuits. For further information, telephone 0116 239 5350.

Chernobyl Children say Farewell to Leicestershire On Saturday 31st August, a group of children who have been in Leicestershire for a 4 week respite holiday bade farewell to the volunteer families who have hosted them as part of a recuperative programme run by the charity Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (West Leicestershire). The youngsters who come from disadvantaged families living in the Mogilev region of Belarus arrived in the county on 3rd August as part of a 5year programme designed to improve their general health and give them respite from the conditions they endure in their homeland, which was widely contaminated by radioactive fallout after the 1986 nuclear explosion at the Chernobyl plant in neighbouring Ukraine. During their stay, the children have visited several local attractions and have participated in a daily program of activities that has included sailing, cycling, a narrow boat trip, a visit to Warwick Castle and horse riding as well as visits to the dentist and optician. Charity spokesman John Buckby said “We have been bringing children to West Leicestershire for recuperative holidays since 2009 and this year we have seen our first group of children complete their final year with us. Our journey together has been an incredible one and it has been extremely rewarding to see what a difference the programme has made to them. We are now seeking volunteer families interested in hosting a child or an English speaking interpreter in their home so that we can offer places to just some of the many children registered with the charity”. For more information visit the charity’s website at www.foccwestleics.webs.com or contact Group Coordinator John Buckby on 01455 285799 e-mail john.evolution@btinternet.com

The Latimer Players Perform Dick Whittington The Latimer Players production of Dick Whittington by John Morley will take place in the Memorial Hall, Thurcaston from 28th 30th November. Evening performances start at 7.30pm with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on the 30th. Come along and boo the baddies and cheer the goodies as we follow Dick Whittington on his travels to find fame and fortune. See him make friends with Tommy the cat and the good people of London as he tries to achieve his ambition of becoming Lord Mayor of London. His task is not made easy by King Rat, who tries to disgrace his good name, but he is helped by Tinkle, the Fairy of the Bells, who makes sure that good triumphs over evil. On his journey to rid Morocco of rats, he and his new friends are shipwrecked on a desert island and captured by the Sultan and his henchmen but, in true pantomime style, they all live happily ever after and Dick marries the girl of his dreams! Tickets are available from Anna Lacey, 121 Leicester Road, Thurcaston 0116 2362692. Adults £6.50, Children 6-12 £3.50, Under 5 Free with a ticket.

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

Leicester Costco celebrates its first birthday!

~ Forthcoming Events ~ Friday, 11th October - Skittles Night with supper included 7.30pm start. Tickets: £5.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or The Palace Tel: 01530 262400. Sunday, 13th October - Palace Indoor Car Boot Sale from 9.00am – mid-day. Pick up a bargain! Admission 20p. For More details or to book a stall call Gary on Tel 01530 262400. Friday, 18th October - Film Night – ‘We bought a zoo’ (PG). Based on the true story of Benjamin Mee. An account of how the author and his family used their life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction. Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, 01530 260460 or The Palace Tel: 01530 262400. Sunday 20th October – Desford Brass Band in concert (raising funds for their Japanese tour later in the year). Concert starts at 7.15pm. Tickets: £8.00 with £7.00 for concessions. Available from Halls of Ibstock Tel: 01530 260460 or The Palace Tel: 01530 262400 Friday, 25th October – ‘Funhouse Comedy’ present a Comedy Night at The Palace. Funhouse Comedy is one of the UK’s foremost promoters and bookers of live stand-up comedy. Established in 2004 and now arranging comedy shows at over 30 venues and festivals. Featuring: Simon Bligh, Steve Day and Carly Smallman, with compere, Scott Bennett. Doors/bar: 7.30pm - Show starts 8.15pm. For more details see www.funhousecomedy.co.uk. Advance tickets £8.00: available from Halls of Ibstock Tel: 01530 260460 or The Palace Tel: 01530 262400 or via Funhouse Comedy web site. (UNSUITABLE FOR UNDER 14’S)

Saturday, 26th October - A Family Halloween ‘Dracula Spectacular’ Disco Party – with the fabulous John Robson Disco Road show! Party starts at 6.30pm until 10.00pm. FREE ADMISSION FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 (Must be accompanied by an adult). Adults: £2.00 on the door. A family evening of spooky fun with party games and prizes. Prizes for the best fancy dressed children and adults (Fancy dress optional). Saturday, 2nd November – Ashby Concert Band presents “Music from the Musicals”. Concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £8.00 from Halls of Ibstock Tel: 01530 260460 or The Palace Tel: 01530 262400. Friday, 8th November - Palace Line Dance - with Honky Tonk Cliff. A great social night out with no partner required! Dancing from 7.45pm. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Tickets: In advance £4.50 from Hall, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or from The Palace, Tel: 01530 262400 or £5.50 on the door. Saturday, 16th November - Palace Social Dance – A very popular evening of Ballroom, Latin, and Sequence with Eddie ‘The Collector’, (D J and host). Doors/box office/bar open at 7.00pm. Dancing from 7.30pm ‘till 11.00pm.Tickets: £5.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460 or The Palace Tel: 01530 262400.

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a chain of Costco membership warehouses that carry quality name brand and related private label merchandise at substantially lower prices that are typically found at conventional wholesale sources. The warehouses are designed to help small to medium sized businesses reduce costs in purchasing for resale and everyday business use.

Costco currently operates 25 warehouses in the UK. Join us at Costco Leicester, the UK’s 23rd warehouse, on Saturday 30th November 9:30-17.00 to celebrate our first anniversary. Costco warehouses present one of the largest and most exclusive product category selections to be found under a single roof. A few of the categories include groceries, confectionery, appliances, television and audio equipment, automotive supplies, tyres, toys, hardware, sporting goods, jewellery, cameras, housewares, apparel, health and beauty aids, tobacco, furniture, office supplies and office equipment. Costco is known for carrying top quality national brands with 100% satisfaction guaranteed to its members. Costco also features a fine line of quality products under its own Kirkland Signature private label. The company has taken great care in selecting products such as housewares, luggage, pet food and bedding, nappies, wipes, coffee, wine and snacks as well as a large selection of fresh meats, diary, deli products, fresh and frozen foods and baked goods. All Kirkland Signature products are guaranteed to be of quality or better quality than name brands. Costco’s Steve Pappas, Managing Director explains Costco is able to offer lower prices and better values by eliminating virtually all the frills and costs historically associated with conventional wholesalers and retailers, including sales people, delivery and credit accounts. We run a tight operation with extremely low overheads which enables us to pass on dramatic savings to our members Costco is only open to members. Members pay an annual fee. There are two types of membership - Trade and Individual. Trade members qualify by owning or managing a business. Individual members qualify by being employed in or retired in specific employment groups. Visit us online at www.costco.co.uk/membership or call 0116 269 0730 for qualifying criteria.

Did I mean what I just said?.... The following are genuine notes left for milkmen. You know what they mean, but...?! • • • • • • •

Dear Milkman: I’ve just had a baby, please leave another one. Cancel one pint after the day after today. Please don’t leave any more milk. All they do is drink it. Please close the gate behind you because the birds keep pecking the tops of the milk. Please cancel the milk. I have nothing coming into the house except two sons on the dole. Please bring me a form about cheap milk, as my boyfriend has made me stagnant. Please do not leave milk at no. 14 as he is dead until further notice.

Culture and wellbeing events running throughout October 2013

Wellbeing Hi-5 is a month of events promoting how arts, cultural and heritage activities can contribute to your wellbeing. With over 200 events there are opportunities to connect with others, be active, take notice of what’s around you, learn a new skill, and give your time or getting involved supporting others to do what they enjoy. Events are taking place across the City and County To find out what is happening locally visit: www. leicestershire-wellbeing.co.uk/events or contact Sallie Wocha on 0116 305 4115 or email sallie.wocha@leics.gov.uk.

Early mornings are great for spending time with the family. Then they spoil it by waking up.

32 Markfield Congregational Church Sunday 13 October 10.15 am Morning Worship followed by Communion Sunday 20 October 10.00 am United Service at St Wilfrid’s, Coalville Sunday 27 October 3.00 pm Worship at Markfield Court Sunday 3 November 10.15 Morning Worship

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & Thornton Sunday 6th October 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 13th October 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper Sunday 20th October 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 27th October 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 3rd November 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 10th November Remembrance Service 10.45am Morning Service Please note the later start time

Church Services Sunday 24th November 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

Sunday 24th November 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield

St Peter’s Church, Thornton

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

Sunday 13th October 9.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 20th October 10.30 am Holy Communion

Friday 11th Oct Singing Cafe 4U for Dementia Sufferers and Carers 1.45pm Sunday 13th Oct Meeting 10am Monday 14th Oct Coffee morning 10am Wednesday 16th Oct Midweek gathering, dinner together 6.30pm In community, please ring 07875378628 for details Thursday 17th Oct Pure Gold 10am

Sunday 27th October 10.30 am Morning Service

Friday 18th Oct AGE UK arts & Crafts cafe for Dementia sufferers and Carers 2-3pm

Sunday 13th October 10.30 am All Age Harvest Festival 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Sunday 3rd November 3.00 pm Service for those recently bereaved

Sunday 20th Oct Meeting 10am

Friday 18th October 8.00 pm “Still Friday”

Sunday 10th November 10.30 am Remembrance Day Holy Communion

Sunday 20th October 10.00 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at St Wilfrid’s RC Church, Coalville 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 27th October 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

Sunday 17th November 10.30 am Holy Communion Sunday 24th November 10.30 am Morning Service

Holy Rood Church, Bagworth

Monday 21st Oct Coffee morning 10am Friday 25th Oct Singing Cafe 4 U 1.45pm Sunday 27th Oct No morning meeting Cafe 4U 4pm Monday 28th Oct Coffee morning 10am

Please note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre

Wednesday 30th Oct Bible Discussion 7pm

Sunday 3rd November 9.00 am Holy Communion

Thursday 31st Oct Pure Gold 10am

Sunday 10th November 10.30 am Remembrance Day All Age Service 6.00 pm Churches Together in Markfield Remembrance Day Service

St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak

Friday 1st Nov AGE UK Arts & Crafts Cafe 2-3pm

Sunday 13th October 9.15 am Holy Communion

Sunday 3rd Nov Meeting 10am

Friday 15th November 8.00 pm “Still Friday”

Sunday 6th October 10.30am Morning Harvest Festival Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service

Sunday 20th October 3.00 pm Praise Service

Monday 4th Nov Coffee morning 10am

Sunday 17th November 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 27th October 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Thursday 7th Nov Pure Gold 10am

Sunday 13th October 10.30am Morning Communion Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Style Service

Sunday 24th November 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00 pm Evening Service

Sunday 20th October 10.00am United Service at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church, Coalville 6.00pm Evening Service

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under Bardon

Sunday 27th October 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm No Evening Service

Sunday 13th October 10.30 am Holy Communion

There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine.

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield

Sunday 3rd November 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Taizé Service Sunday 10th November Remembrance Sunday 10.30am Morning Service 4.00pm Afternoon Café Style Service 6.00pm United Churches Together Service at St Michael’s Parish Church Sunday 17th November 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

Sunday 3rd November 10.30 am Holy Communion 6.00 pm Service for those recently bereaved

Sunday 20th October 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 3rd November 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Sunday 10th November 6.00 am Remembrance Day Service Sunday 17th November 3.00 pm Praise Service Sunday 24th November 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Without Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under Bardon

Sunday 27th October 10.30 am “Something Different” Service

Sunday 6th Oct Meeting 10am

Sunday 3rd November 10.30 am Morning Service

Monday 7th Oct Coffee morning from 10am

Sunday 10th November 10.30 am Remembrance Day Holy Communion

Wednesday 9th Oct Prayer meeting 7pm

Sunday 17th November 10.30 am Morning Service

Friday 8th Nov Singing Cafe 4U 1.45pm

Thursday 10th Oct Pure Gold drop in 10am

I wish conversations were like user agreements where I could skip to the end and just agree.

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Herald Small Ads • ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER - Silver Reed, As New Condition. Price: £20.00 • Double metal gold effect BED HEADBOARD - free for collection. Tel: 01530 230259 (Bagworth) • Valor coal-effect gas firelittle used- brass surround Price: £50.00 • Panasonic quintrix 28” screen TELEVISION (not flat)-with stand and freeview - in good working order. Price: £40.00 Tel: 01530 245796 (Stanton) Just email or post brief details of any unwanted household items you’re selling, together with the price, your contact number and postal address (not for publication) and we’ll include your small ad in the magazine for FREE. Contact details are on page 3.

No increase in Members’ Allowances THERE will be no increase in the level of allowances paid to Members of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. A meeting of the full council on Tuesday 24 September 2013 made a clear decision that both the Basic Allowance and the Special Responsibility Allowances would remain unchanged. The meeting was told that an Independent Remuneration Panel, which had deliberately excluded councillors from membership, had studied the level of allowances paid to Members since 2005. In that time, there had been no increase in payments, although they had risen in comparable councils elsewhere in the county. The Panel came to the conclusion that the allowances paid by Hinckley & Bosworth fell well below the average of other district councils locally and recommended an increase in the Basic Allowance from £3,275 to £4,000 a year, along with an increase in the Special Responsibility Allowances for those councillors who are members of the Executive or chair committees. They also suggested an increase in the allowances paid to the Mayor (from £7,197.60 to £8,000) and the Deputy Mayor (from £998.16 to £3,000). However, when the council’s Scrutiny Commission considered the Panel’s findings, it felt strongly that, in the current economic climate, it would be wrong to increase the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances and rejected the recommendation to do so. It had proposed that the council should welcome the clarity offered by the Independent Panel in its findings and conclusions, in recognising what Borough councillors should receive, but recommended refusal; a recommendation unanimously endorsed by the council’s Executive. At the same time, though, the Commission and the Executive did back the proposal to increase the allowances for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor because of the exceptional amount of time that was required to carry out their duties and the amount of personal expenditure that was now being incurred over and above their allowances. Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Bron Witherford, Executive Member for Corporate Services, Equalities and Member Services, said: “Whilst elected Members acknowledged that their allowances fell far short of those comparable local authorities, it was gratifying to note that in these difficult times Hinckley and Bosworth Members still put their continued support and service to the community before any personal gain. “This should send out a loud and clear message to our citizens that local councillors in Hinckley and Bosworth are not motivated by greed but by public service.”

a

Churches Together in Markfield initiative

an opportunity to relax, find peace within ourselves and 'reflect' on our place in the world; offering creative suggestions for reading, thinking and exploring prayer.

Trinity Methodist Church 6-7pm Wednesdays 16th October 13th November Come for as long as you wish and leave when you want. No intrusive questions, though people will be around if you need to talk or pray with someone. Refreshments available. All are welcome, whether or not you feel church is for you. Further information: Karen (249829) or Rosemary (242844)

IDC Home Maintenance Painter Decorator and Property Maintenance NO JOB TOO SMALL From changing a light bulb to complete house re-decoration. For all the jobs you need to do but simply don’t have time.

For a free quotation please call Ian on:

01530 245461

or

07885 541428

3 The Nook, Markfield, Leicestershire

Web site: www.idchomemaintenance.co.uk Full Tradesman Liability Insurance held

Told the doctor I thought I had athlete’s foot. He looked at me and said, ‘I don’t think you have athlete’s anything.’ St Michael’s Church

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Gemstones Wordsearch Find the names of 12 Gemstones in this month’s Wordsearch puzzle and you could win yourself a meal and a drink. This month we are offering a TASTY prize of: A Main Course for Two, plus A Bottle of House Wine at The FieldHead Hotel.

T K L T F K P G R O X R C G A

Y U I L U Z A L S I P A L A E

Z G R J O J R S K A I P G R H

P K H Q W E X E Q O C G K N N

AQUAMARINE CITRINE FLUORITE GARNET JASPER LAPISLAZULI ORTHOCLASE PERIDOT RHODOLITE TIGERSEYE TOPAZ TURQUOISE

I L T E U Y T U A R G G K E X

T O P A Z O A I D T A H Q T J

O K B L F M I W R H W D I E J

F F A I A U X S P O Z U H Y M

E N I R T I C P E C U U W E N

E C I U O Z E J V L B L K S H

H N W Q E R F J A A I M F R F

E W N G I Y B C L S A D T E G

R H O D O L I T E E P L V G M

W D O T K M B L A D P E U I Q

W T Q G R U U C M M L B R T W

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 gemstones. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: SPARKLERS, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Tuesday 29th October 2013. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Fedora will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the 12 GEMSTONES you have to find: AQUAMARINE • CITRINE • GARNET JASPER • LAPIS LAZULI • ORTHOCLASE PERIDOT • TOPAZ • TURQUOISE FLUORITE • RHODOLITE • TIGERS EYE

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

Last Month’s Competition Winner The winner of last month’s Wordsearch Competition was: Mrs B Keates of Chitterman Way, Markfield. Congratulations! Your voucher will be sent to you soon.

BOOK SPOT The Confusion of Karen Carpenter By Jonathan Harvey Hello. There are two things you should know about me: 1) My name is Karen Carpenter. 2) Just before Christmas my boyfriend left me. I’m not THE Karen Carpenter. I just have the most embarrassing name in Christendom. Particularly as I’m no skinny minny and don’t play the drums. I can’t even sing. I’m tone deaf. I work in a school in the East End. (Where I came third in a ‘Teacher we’d most like to sleep with’ competition amongst the Year 11 boys) My Mum’s driving me mad. She’s come to stay and is obsessed with Scandi crime shows and Zumba. Oh yeah. The boyfriend. After eleven ‘happy’ years he left me. No explanation just a post it on the kettle when I got in from work. I think I’m handling it really well. I don’t think I’m confused at all. What was my name again? Author Jonathan Harvey comes from Liverpool and is the multi award winning writer of the play and film Beautiful Thing, the Bafta nominated sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme and Beautiful People (Best Comedy: Banff TV Festival). He is currently on the writing teams for both Coronation Street and Shameless. His other TV work includes Rev (Bafta, Best Sitcom), At Home With The Braithwaites, Lilies, The Catherine Tate Show and Murder Most Horrid. He has written 20 stage plays including Corrie!, Canary, Hushabye Mountain, Babies, Boom Bang A Bang and Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. He also wrote the 2001 stage musical Closer To Heaven with the Pet Shop Boys. His theatre work has won him an Evening Standard Award, two Manchester Evening News Awards, the George Devine Award and the John Whiting Award. But perhaps most telling of all he also won the Spacehopper Championships at Butlins Pwhelli in 1976.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

First you’re telling me to be myself, then you’re telling me to stop being an idiot. Make your mind up.

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Unit 1A, Heather Close Farm, Markfield Lane, Botcheston LE9 9FH

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The only member of my family with a personal trainer is the dog.

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