Street Fair team find the winning formula
Groby Wobblers raise £1,450
Norman Griffiths reports on another successful day The sun came out on the day of the Groby Street Fair and so did thousands of local residents. For a single day Markfield Road was transformed from somewhere that you dodge the cars and buses on their way to the A50 to a place where you could safely stroll with children, browse the stalls, buy something to eat and drink, watch the family having fun and sit in the sunshine or shade listening to the music. The Street Fair is not a commercial profit making enterprise – it is run by volunteers. This year the organisers had no Lottery Grant so they reluctantly had to introduce an admission charge to recover some of the £2500 they had to pay the County Council to close Markfield Road. “I did hear the odd comment about the £1,” said one happy visitor, “ but I can’t complain. I spent the whole day there supporting the charities, enjoying the big band, the lovely Martinshaw School Choir, the magician and the jazz band late in the afternoon. It was great to see so many families enjoying the day, and the children’s fancy dress competition brought a smile to my face.” As the last visitors drifted away the volunteers started the tidy up operation and soon all the tables and chairs had been stored away ready for collection and Markfield Road was reopened. “The Street Fair takes months of preparation and organisation,” said Christine Sturgess-Smith on behalf of the committee, “and I would like to thank all those volunteers who have made it possible both in the planning and helping on the day. Thanks must also go to the people of Groby who give us their support and helped raise funds for the good causes that participate in addition to the traders. A special thank you must go to Jim Coley and his family. Not only did they entertain us but Jim stepped in and provided the amplification equipment without which we would have struggled.”
If you couldn’t be there you can see photographs of the day on www.grobystreetfair.tk.
Chests out and best foot forwards. That’s how the some ladies of Groby WI set forth on their tour around the Village. This was in aid of Glenfield Breast Care at Glenfield Hospital. All this came about because one of our best loved members has twice over the years has had the benefit of this wonderful Unit. We called for anyone brave enough to wear a bra and walk around the Village. The variety of bras was amazing. I thought myself daring wearing an emerald green one with big black polka dots (donated by my daughter) but the others left mine in the shade. I didn’t know balloons could be used in such a manner, there were even tassles. One lady had stitched dozens of coloured buttons on and the most outstanding was our ‘special lady’ herself in a pink tutu, tights, boas and some concoction on her head.
As we walked along swinging amongst other things our buckets we accosted or were accosted by generous well wishers. I can’t remember the last time I had a car hoot at me, thinking about it, it must have been an old fashioned car hooter. Anyway we received lots of encouragement. Back at the Village Hall, a welcome cuppa was received made by those who were unable to do the walk. All this raised an approximate much appreciated £1,450 for the Unit. This was far more than we had hoped for. I must give thanks to everyone who donated and helped. A special thanks to two new ladies to the Village who just came and joined us, a Grandad pushing a buggy and friends of members. We hope to do this event next year so look out for the Groby Wobblers and come and join us, its in a very good cause.
Margaret Gamble
Vacancy for a deliverer The Spotlight has a vacancy for a deliverer in Groby. The vacant round is at Lime Avenue and comprises approximately 90 copies of the magazine. If you’re over 13 and you’d like to apply, contact Angela on 0116 287 9118 for more information.
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