Ashby Life February 2023

Editor

Vanessa Preece 01530 417739

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Advertising/Accounts

Website/What’s On info@lifemagazines.co.uk

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Ashby Life Ltd

Rockleigh House 37 Burton Road Ashby de la Zouch LE65 2LF

Welcome

Welcome to February’s issue, which is packed with practical advice.

We have articles on local gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, health and fitness tips from Fitness Republic, two delicious seasonal recipes and this month’s essential gardening jobs from Francesca Sinclair.

We’ve also got a whole host of community news. We bring you the latest updates from the National Forest, Ashby Museum, Venture Theatre, Castle Medical Group and more.

As always, we also have a round up of events happening in and around Ashby this month and not one but two fantastic competitions to enter.

Until next time,

Ashby Life is an independent publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the editor. The use of this magazine for canvassing or direct marketing is strictly prohibited. Information is included on the What’s On and Community Board pages subject to space being available. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, Ashby Life cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions or endorse companies, products or services appearing in this magazine. All adverts are published in good faith using information supplied by each company, on the understanding that relevant permissions have been obtained. It’s a fantastic way

www.ashbylife.co.uk or

WIN a family afternoon of fun at Sunnyside Adventure!

Sunnyside Garden Centre

has been established on Leicester Road in Ibstock for many years but did you know that in 2022 they launched the brand new Sunnyside Adventure with the largest indoor adventure play frame in Leicestershire?

Their five floor play frame has more than 100 features to explore including a four lane Astra slide, a spiral slide, drop slide, blaster cannons, ball showers, cargo nets, tunnels and even a selfcontained football pitch. They also have separate areas for babies and toddlers.

They are open from 9am to 6pm daily with three sessions running from 9am to 11.45am, 12noon to 2.45pm and 3pm to 5.45pm.

The Adventure Cafe sells freshly made food and drinks for everyone to enjoy including an all day breakfast menu, jacket potatoes, paninis, hot dogs, stone baked pizza and kids snack boxes. All food is cooked fresh and to order.

Sunnyside Adventure is a great place to play, eat and relax. They also have party packages available to help you celebrate their big day with friends. You can find out more about Sunnyside Adventure and book a session online at www.sunnysideadventure.co.uk

WIN, WIN, WIN!

One lucky person could WIN a family voucher for two adults and two children for one play session plus food and drinks up to the value of £40. To be in with a chance of winning simply email competition@lifemagazines.co.uk with the subject line ‘WIN with Sunnyside Adventure’ and let us know your name, address and contact telephone number. Be quick as you only have until midnight on Friday 24th February to enter. See www.ashbylife.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

The winner will be entitled to one family voucher for two adults and two children for one Sunnyside Aventure play session and food and drink in the café up to the value of £40. The prize must be redeemed within six months of the closing date of 24th February 2023. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The winners name will be published on our Facebook page. Multiple or automated entries are not allowed. We will not pass your details on to any third party. Terms and conditions apply.

Welcome to

Interactive role play centres based in South Derbyshire

Titchy Town and Hero Town are both indoor play villages designed especially for little ones up to 8 years of age. Children can freely explore the many different play zones in both villages. The villages are designed to allow children’s imagination to run wild whilst they role play in a safe environment.

Grown-ups can participate in their child’s play, or just sit back and watch them learn whilst enjoying a mug of freshly brewed tea or coffee and an amazing homemade cake from our little coffee shop.

Where are we?

Titchy Town is based on the site of Scallywags Private Day Nursey in Chellaston (Rowallan Way, DE73 5WX). Hero Town is based on the site of Scallywags Private Day Nursery in Melbourne (Castle Lane, DE73 8JB). Please use Scallywags car park at both sites. You will find signage in both car parks on how to access the centres.

How it works?

Titchy Town Play Village

Hero Town Play Village

Celebrating Valentine’s Day locally

When planning that special gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day remember to shop local and support one of the many small businesses in our area. Here’s just a small selection of what’s on offer:

Cattows Farm

Cattows Farm are offering a Chocolate Afternoon Tea for Valentine’s Day and it all sounds utterly delicious. Start the experience with a savoury sandwich selection and then dive straight into chocolate heaven with offerings including warm double chocolate scones; banoffee brownie bites; chocolate drizzled fruit and more. Priced at £25 per head & available from 1st to 28th February. Booking essential. Go to www.cattowsfarm.co.uk or call 01530 264 200 to book.

Sweet Memory Lane

Fred & the Sweetie Team can always be relied upon to have lots of treats in store. From their heart-themed movie boxes or delicious chocolate goodies to Amy Smith Fudge, which is locally made using traditional methods & comes in a huge array of flavours, you’re sure to find something for the sweetlover in your life. You can find them on Facebook or place an order on their website www.sweetmemorylane.com

Breedon Priory Spa

A gift voucher for an experience at Breedon Priory Spa would be a thoughtful gift. There’s nothing quite like a visit to their Wellbeing Suite to boost your health and happiness. Gift your loved one the chance to take some much-needed time out in the thermal areas, to experience relaxing showers or to take a dip in one of the outdoor pools before enjoying quiet time in either the relaxation area, sun terrace, spa garden, or slumber room. Prices start from £75 for a Twilight Taster spa evening. See details online at breedonprioryspa.co.uk

Fancy That Florist

Fancy That, located inside the Market Hall have a great selection of cut blooms and lots of gorgeous bouquets, with something to fit most budgets. They can even create something bespoke if there are flowers with a special meaning for your relationship. While red roses are a classic choice to say ‘I love you’, red tulips also symbolise true love, while their yellow counterparts mean ’there is sunshine in your smile’. Search ‘Fancy That Ashby’ on Facebook or call 01530 563563 to order.

WIN a signed copy of local author Daniella Rushton’s latest book

Back in early 2021 we celebrated the release of The Watchers and the Gifted Ones – the debut novel by local author Daniella Rushton and the first in the Panther Tales trilogy, a set of fantasy books written for young adults.

We’re excited to now announce the release of the sequel – The Queen and the Powerful Pendant. The series focuses on a central character called Hannah who becomes embroiled in a new dark world whilst on vacation. As negative forces surround her in an attempt to destroy the very essence of who she is, she discovers she has an unimaginable and extraordinary gift but wonders if it will be enough to save her.

With elements of both the Narnia and the Twilight series these books are sure to have young readers captivated. Both books can be purchased online for £9.99 each at https:// thepanthertales.com/ or on www.amazon.co.uk

Grilled Halloumi & Pepper Bruschetta

toasted bruschetta piled with charred peppers, grilled halloumi & a balsamic reduction

Prawn Salad & Chorizo Flatbread with asparagus, spicy tomato & garlic sauce, rocket & chilli oil

Chicken Chasseur with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted shallots & tarragon

Mini Shepards Pie & Lamb Fillet with ratatouille, seasonal vegetables & red wine jus

Fillet Steak & Blue Cheese Sauce served with vine tomatoes, sautéed wild mushrooms, rosemary & garlic roasted new potatoes & creamy Colston Basset Stilton sauce (£8.00 supplement)

Pan Seared Salmon Fillet & Creamed Leeks with a selection of vegetables and a lemon & dill butter

Sweet Potato, Caramelised Onion & Goats Cheese Pie with creamy mashed potatoes & a selection of vegetables

Smoked Chicken & Orange Salad

smoked chicken breast & orange salad with avocado, pomegranate, crumbed feta and toasted pine nuts

Oven Baked Camembert

in a puff pastry case with a sticky Þggy chutney and a selection of warm breads and crudités (to share)

SORBET

Champagne & Raspberry (to share)

DESSERT

Strawberry & White Chocolate Eton Mess with meringue pieces, white chocolate sauce and fresh strawberries

Baked Lemon & Raspberry Cheese Cake with mascarpone & blueberry liqueur sauce

Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream or crème anglaise

Assiette of Taster Puddings (to share)

CHEESE

A Selection of Signature Farm Shop Cheeses and Artisan Crackers (£4.00 supplement)

Sleeps 6

Parking for two vehicles Master bedroom with en-suite Family bathroom with bath and shower Full central heating American fridge/freezer, oven, hob, microwave and wine cooler

Beach 20 mins from Padstow

Ashby Venture eatre

New Faces at e Venture

The Turn of the Screw is our next dramatic production which takes place in March. This creepy and thrilling play features several ADS actors one of whom is new to the society. Nikki Favell comes to join us fresh from panto at The Little Theatre in Leicester.

Tickets are now on sale on our website - www. ashbyventuretheatre.org. uk - and our box office will be open on Friday and Saturday mornings from Friday 3rd March.

ASHBY

DRAMATIC SOCIETY

A play adapted by Patrick Prior from a novella by Henry James

23-25 MARCH 29-31 MARCH 1 APRIL

Presents TURN SCREW THE OF THE

Music and Much More… The Sarah Spencer Transatlantic Jazz Band are coming to the theatre on Saturday 25th February. This band have not played at the jazz club before but are well worth listening to – possibly the most exciting band we have ever booked. Tickets are £15 and on sale at The Shoebox, Market Street or on our website.

Tickets £10

Laid Back Blues!

On Saturday 4th March we are presenting an evening of blues music provided by Annie Duggan. Music starts at 8pm and tickets cost £10, available on our website.

Fascinating Takes From World War 2 Peggy Knight was an unlikely heroine of the 2nd World War who was parachuted into France to work with the Resistance. During the war, she lived in the shadows as a member of Churchill’s Special Operations Executive. This young woman was a shorthand typist in 1944 at 24 years of age, living in north London. Suddenly she found herself recruited and after just two short weeks of training was parachuted into enemy-occupied France.

All performances start at 7.30pm Doors open at 6.45pm

FULLY LICENCED BAR

Available now from TicketSource via our website: www.ashbyventuretheatre.org.uk

From 3rd March 2023, you can purchase tickets at the box office every Friday & Saturday, 10.30am - 12.30pm Venture Theatre, North Street, Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1HU

Lesley Smith, well known for her dramatic interpretations of historical characters, is presenting her portrayal of Peggy Knight at The Venture Theatre on Friday 14th April at 7.30pm. Why not come and learn more about those tense months in France and Peggy’s immense courage and patriotism as she looks back on her experiences?

Tickets cost £12 and are available on our website.

“A ghost story with a difference” “Thought provoking” “Edge-of-the-seat theatre”

e Dower House Garden

On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February, between 10am and 3pm each day, the garden at The Dower House, in Melbourne will be open to the public in aid of the National Garden Scheme. The garden has a breath-taking view facing south over Melbourne Pool, viewed from a balustraded terrace running the length of the house. Paths and steps descend either side of this terrace down a huge bank covered in roses and shrubs to the lower lawn.

A rose tunnel divides the garden which has numerous paths leading to different areas, each providing a variety of planting opportunities: a bog garden, dry banks, the dappled shade of a glade, an orchard and shrubbery, a small rockery and a little woodland with many island beds. There are many seats around the garden where visitors may pause to take in the views.

The February opening will show a garden full of snowdrops, aconites, winter clematis,

winter honeysuckle, daphnes, witch hazels, irises, crocus, cyclamen and many other winter flowering plants. There will be tea, coffee and cake and we will hopefully have a roaring fire in the cottage to warm hands and feet before or after braving the garden. Admission will be £5 per adult. See findagarden.ngs.org.uk/ garden/20945/the-dower-house.

The National Garden Scheme gives all the money raised at garden openings across the country during the year to various charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK, Marie Curie, The Carers Trust, Parkinson’s UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. Last year £3.11 million was raised nationwide.

e best exercise to burn fat is…

Did that get your attention?! The simple answer to this question is there isn’t one.

Let’s start at the top. If you’re carrying excess weight, it is highly likely you have been overeating for a good bit of time. Maybe months, or even years.

So, let’s look at it like an empty bottle.

At the beginning of the day the bottle is empty, then throughout the day you begin to fill it up. Late in the evening the bottle is full, but you’re still trying to put more in it. So now we need a bigger bottle. Keep doing this and the bottle keeps getting bigger and bigger. Now let’s say the bottle is your body. You eat and drink your recommended number of calories for the day, but then you keep adding more. Perhaps then you hit the gym and try to burn off some calories, but still, you add more. In this situation it doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do if you keep adding those extra calories.

The first thing to do is to attack the root of the problem. When you ask “What’s the best exercise for fat loss?” you’re really asking “How can I lose

weight?” So most importantly, you need to cut down the amount you are consuming. This alone will have a huge impact to your body composition. Adding any exercise will then help speed up the changes and make sure that the weight that is lost, is from body fat rather than muscle.

It is now that the right type of exercise comes in to play.

If you only have time for 2-3 sessions a week at the gym, then your sessions should ideally be based around weight training. Building lean muscle is your priority. The more muscle you have the more body fat you will stand to lose. Cardio is also excellent, but I would only add this if you have the time. Focus on the weights.

A good gym workout plan could include:

• Chest Press

• Lat Pulldown

• Shoulder Press

• Split squats

• One arm row

• Lunges

• Push ups

So, to sum up, it doesn’t matter what exercise is ‘better’ for losing fat. Your priority should be to stop actively gaining the weight. You have to put the lid on that water bottle and stop adding to it, before you can begin to tackle losing a drop of that water!

For more advice and a FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION, call us on 01530 413330 or email info@ fitnessrepublic.co.uk.

Simon, Fitness Republic

Local Events

item valued. See www.sharpespotterymuseum. org.uk for details.

3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 17th & 19th

February

In the Steps of Servants

Tours lasting around 1 hour will be running twice a day at 11am and 1.30pm in the house at Calke Abbey. Follow in the footsteps of the people who made Calke tick. Discover the servant’s stories and the contributions they made to this great estate. Visit spaces specifically connected to the servants, such as laundries and the kitchen and some of the spaces not seen on the normal visitor route. No booking required. Spaces available on a first come first served basis. Free event (admission fees apply).

Friday 3rd February

Abba Sensation

Immerse yourself in the authentic ABBA experience! Abba Sensation will transport you back to the golden days of ABBA, with stunning harmonies, costumes, choreography and a sprinkling of light-hearted humour. Whatever your favourite hit, they’re all included; from Waterloo to Dancing Queen. 7.30pm at Century Theatre, Coalville. Tickets cost £16-£18. Book online at centurytheatre.co.uk/whats-on/abbasensation/ or call 01530 278 444.

Friday 3rd February

Bamford’s Antiques Valuation & Discovery

Day

Join Bamford’s Auctioneers and Valuers on the first Friday of the month at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum for Antiques Valuation Day from 2pm to 4pm at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum in Swadlincote. Discover the true worth of your valuables and any treasures you may have. Free Entry. Donations towards the museum welcomed per

Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th February Stepping Out

Richard Harris’s award-winning comedy Stepping Out is coming to Loughborough Town Hall with a top-class cast from The Festival Players. Stepping Out follows the lives of seven women and one man attempting to tap their troubles away at a weekly dancing class. Over the course of several months, we meet the group, and all of them have a story to tell. Show starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16. Book online at www. loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/events

Friday 10th February Packington Film Night

Enjoy a showing of the 2021 British coming-of-age drama written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan and Jude Hill and follows a young boy’s childhood in Belfast, Northern

Ireland, at the beginning of The Troubles in 1969. 7pm at Packington Memorial Hall. Film starts 7.30pm. Adults £4, children £2. Tea and coffee served from 7pm. All welcome just turn up, no need to book.

Saturday 11th February

Good Old Fashioned Jumble & Table Top Sale

Head along to Ticknall Village Hall from 10am through to 12.30pm and grab a bargain while enjoying a tea or coffee and helping to raise funds for the local foodbank. Table available to hire. Please contact Mary Magson at marymagson@aol.com for further details.

Monday 13th February

Ashby Art Club Demo

Ashby Art Club continue their series of demonstrations with local artists from 7pm to 9pm at Smisby Village Hall, LE65 2TY. Jo Allsopp will be demonstrating water and mixed media painting techniques in a painting of flowers. For more details see Ashby Art Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also see Jo’s website www.sablestudiogallery.co.uk or visit her at Moira Furnace Museum. Free to club members, £5 to non-members. Ashby Art Club is currently accepting new members; why not go along and join them?

Friday 17th February

Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

The North West Local Group of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust presents a talk by Marion Kemp – ‘Water Vole & Otter Surveys in Derby’. Marion, survey co-ordinator for Derbyshire, will explain how to survey and identify the presence of water voles and otters. She will also explain the latest population trends. 7.30pm at Ashby Methodist Chapel, Burton Road, Ashby. £3 admission.

Saturday 18th February

Funhouse Comedy Club

As part of Leicester Comedy Festival’s Big Weekend enjoy an evening packed with laughs at Century Theatre, Coalville from an excellent selection of acts including Ignacio Lopez - a wonderful Spanish/Welsh comedian who just made his debut on Live at the Apollo and Jonny Awsum - the ultimate feel-good comic with lots of fun, silly songs that always go down a storm and leave everyone with huge grins on their faces plus Nathan Eagle and compere Barry

Dodds. Show starts 8pm. Tickets cost £12. Book online at comedy-festival.co.uk/event/funhousecomedy-club/

Saturday 25th February

David Bowie Tribute Evening Jean Genie perform an incredible tribute to David Bowie, complete with dazzling, flamboyant costumes and stunning effects. Critically acclaimed as the UK’s top Bowie tribute; you’d be forgiven for thinking you are seeing the man himself. Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 7.45pm at Conkers Discovery Centre in Moira, DE12 6GA. Tickets cost £25. Free parking. Book online at www.visitconkers.com/event/davidbowie-tribute/ or call 01283 216 633.

We always recommend you check with the event organiser before you visit to confirm details.

It’s FREE to feature your event on this page or on our website. Please submit your full event details online at www.ashbylife. co.uk/submit-event.html. Deadline for submissions for the March issue is Thursday 16th February. Life Magazines cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. For any queries, please email info@lifemagazines.co.uk

DESIGN

February wines

This month what can we do but look at some winter warmers? Kick back in front of the fire and enjoy!

False Bay ‘Old School’ Syrah, South Africa

False Bay wines really are great value. The grapes for False Bay Old School Syrah (Shiraz) stem primarily from two vineyards in Stellenbosch. The attraction to these coastal vineyards were the cooler temperatures and low yields of small, naturally balanced and concentrated berries meaning these wines punch above their weight. Full yet elegant with bramble fruits and also some earthy and meaty aromas. Ideal with spicy dishes, red meats and rich Mediterranean dishes.

Uggiano Chianti Riserva ‘La Scoperta’, Italy

This is a well-structured and complex wine with a different dimension and soft fruit on the palate. Fermentation extracts colour and tannin from the skins and after around 2 weeks, the wine is racked to large oak casks for 6 months resulting in vibrant black fruit aromas with a touch of spice. On the palate you’ll be treated to layers of ripe plum, blackcurrant and juicy black cherry with balanced spicy and developed flavours and a bright acidity on the finish. Enjoy with rich casseroles and roast meats.

Order 6 bottles and get FREE DELIVERY to Ashby & surrounding areas

Smalltown Vineyards Knock Knock Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia

Just what you’d expect from a fullbodied, top quality Barossa Valley Shiraz. The wine is aged for 22 months in a variety of French and American oak barrels allowing the fruit to shine, developing a typical deep colour, dense sweet black berry fruits on the nose with a lovely savoury almost meaty character with hints of black pepper and a long, rich, toasty oak finish. Food matching is easy, just buy some top-quality red meat, don't mess with it and enjoy a perfect marriage!

Raats Family Wines, Dolomite, Stellenbosch, South Africa

A Bordeaux style wine blend that the French need to watch! As part of the new wave of South African winemakers, Raats crafts soil specific wines that are world class and embody the unique characteristics of the region. Dolomite wines express great purity of fruit and balanced elegance. The nose shows dark and red cherry. Dark berries, spiciness and herbs linger on the palate. The wine has great purity of fruit with a hint of wet-stone minerality and a velvet soft finish. Great with game bird, beef fillet and pork loin. This beauty recently featured in Wine Merchant Magazines top 100 wines in 2022!!!

If you’re looking for further recommendations on new wines to try give Karl a call on 07970 122501 – he’s always happy to chat all things wine! You can order online at www.thehonestwinecompanyltd.co.uk

Question Time with FISHERS SOLICITORS

The hardest part of getting a divorce is often working out the financial arrangements. The Courts encourage you to agree on these yourselves but will get involved if that isn’t possible. These arrangements usually go together with your childcare agreement so emotions can run high. The aim is to ensure that everything is divided fairly and that your children’s needs are met. Here’s our guide to the factors a Court will look at so that you can try to work things out for yourself.

What will you need in the future?

One of the main aims of a financial arrangement in divorce is to give you a clean break. You need to consider what you’ll both need in the future. If the children are going to live with one parent most of the time that could mean that they keep the marital home. The other might need funds to find somewhere else to live unless you’re moving in with a new partner.

What do your children need?

In a divorce, the children’s needs always come first. Your financial arrangement will go hand in hand with your childcare arrangements.

It’s important to look at your children’s living costs, childcare, and other things such as holidays and after-school activities when working out how much you’ll each need to take care of them.

What’s your earning capacity?

Each partner’s earning capacity and potential earning capacity are important when it comes to your financial arrangement. If you’re both

relatively young and working full-time then a clean break can be easy.

The Court will also look at any future assets you might receive, for example, inheritances, business income or pension income. If you have a pension but your partner doesn’t it’s worth considering giving them additional assets to balance things up.

Your contribution to married life

As a married couple, you worked together to build a life. That could mean that one of you worked full-time while the other took care of the children. The Court considers this to be an equal contribution to the marriage and they’ll award financial assets accordingly. It’s important to remember that if you’re trying to reach an agreement yourselves, it might mean giving up assets that you consider yours to make things fair, for example, an inheritance from your side of the family or money you earned before you met.

How have you both behaved?

It’s a common myth that where one spouse has committed adultery or behaved badly, the other will keep most of the assets. This isn’t generally true, but this can happen in rare cases.

Financial arrangements after divorce can be complex so it’s important to get professional advice. If you need help agreeing on a financial settlement, find out more and contact us today: https://www.fisherslaw.co.uk/family-law/

If you have a question for “Question time with Fishers Solicitors” please send it to enquiries@fisherslaw.co.uk your trusted legal advisers

Or speak to Andrew Robinson, Head of Family Law

I am getting divorced, how can I sort out the financial arrangements with my husband?

e Very Hungry Caterpillar

Are your children hungry for engaging and fun activities during school holidays? Arts Award Discover might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Arts Award is a suite of arts-based qualifications for all young people aged 25 and under, organised by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England. Arts Award Discover is the start of the Arts Award adventure - it takes children on an artistic journey as they explore the arts all around them, investigate different art forms, research an artist, and then share their discoveries. Their creativity, curiosity, confidence and communication skills all get a boost, while they simply have an entertaining and enjoyable time.

Here at St Helen’s we are fortunate to be able to provide Ashby families with just such an opportunity this February half-term, when we will be offering the Discover Arts Award based around The Very Hungry Caterpillar, for KS1 and KS2.

The course will be from 9.30am to 12noon on 20th February and will be run by a qualified

provider. The morning will include:

• A treasure hunt to find examples of different art forms

• Finding out about the Hungry Caterpillar’s artist, Eric Carle, and recording interesting facts

• Creating a picture of their own caterpillar/ butterfly using recycled textiles. (We will provide all fabrics and materials.)

• Sharing pictures together, and creating a temporary display in the church

£6 per child, includes a “Discover” Arts Award certificate and a snack. Parents will accompany children for the whole morning. For more information and to secure a place, email sthelensashby@gmail.com

Achilles Tendinopathy

We treat a number of patients who have problems with their Achilles tendon. It is a band of strong fibres connecting the muscles at the back of the calf, onto the heel bone. The calf compromises of two muscles the Gastrocnemius and the Soleus.

During contraction of the calf, tension is placed through the Achilles tendon. Your tendons are designed to withstand high force and repetitive loading, however on occasions where the load applied is too high, the tendon can sustain micro tears. If high loads are continually applied, it prevents the tendon from repairing and damage gradually worsens; resulting in an Achilles tendinopathy. Symptoms include pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle and heel, which is usually worse first thing in the morning.

Anyone can have a tendinopathy, but people who make the same motions over and over in their jobs, sports or daily activities are at higher risk. The condition is common among runners, hill walkers, and sports involving jumping. You may be predisposed if you are training excessively with a quick increase in demand, are overweight or have over-pronated (flat) feet.

A thorough Physiotherapy examination is usually sufficient to diagnose an Achilles tendinopathy. Treatments such as massage, stretches, joint mobilisations and ultrasound can help improve

flexibility, pain and function. If required, orthotics can also be provided to correct foot posture or relieve pain.

New research shows a strengthening exercise programme should be commenced to load the tendon and is vital to remould tendon scar tissue and prevent reoccurrence. Your physiotherapist can guide you on the grading of exercise programmes.

Most patients with this condition heal well with physiotherapy, however it can take 4 to 6 months. In some cases, these tendon injuries can turn chronic when someone continues activity despite nagging pain. At ProPhysio we have had great results using our extra corporeal shockwave therapy machine which accelerates the healing process in chronic tendons, this has a success rate of 77% in national results.

For more information contact ProPhysio on 01530 588 557 info@prophysiomidlands.co.uk www.prophysiomidlands.co.uk

Can you help us grow the Forest?

Here in the National Forest, we’re working to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for everyone, by creating more natural spaces for people to connect with nature, planting woodland habitats that will help wildlife to thrive, and providing new opportunities for businesses. However, we need the support of our communities, businesses, and landowners in the Forest to continue to make this happen. That’s why we offer a range of grant schemes to help create and manage the Forest across a variety of work areas, from tree planting and habitat creation to tourism and health and wellbeing.

For landowners in the Forest, our forest creation grant schemes, can provide funding to cover, design, planning, and up to 100% of the implementation costs of the creation of new woodlands and other habitats, helping you to increase the potential of your land through better yields and new diversification opportunities, reduced flooding and soil loss, and increased nutrient recycling.

Our Freewoods grant scheme supports the creation of woodlands from as little as 0.25 hectares and woodland blocks can be as small as 0.1 hectares, making them easier to fit into a busy farm, whilst our Changing Landscapes scheme is for projects and woodland creation of 1 hectare or more. We can support environmental and biodiversity improvements through the creation and management of habitats such as meadows, wetlands, ponds, parkland, and hedges. The grant also supports paths, roading, signage, community engagement, and public access. Our Parkland scheme support projects as little as 0.25 hectares

and three trees and offers an easy way to make a difference as wood pasture is a UK and National Forest priority habitat.

Or perhaps you’re a group leader or wellbeing organisation? Our Forest Society grant aims to support the health and well-being of residents and communities within the National Forest, using local woodlands to harness the well-being benefits of spending time outdoors. This year we’re looking to award between five and seven grants of £1,000 and £5,000 with a particular interest in supporting innovative projects that connect people with nature to support their mental health resilience, and those focusing on young people aged 11-18. The deadline for applications for this grant is Monday, 13th February 2023.

Last year we introduced our Sustainable Tourism Grant to support businesses with their continued recovery from the pandemic, and to encourage them to invest wisely now to create a greener future for the sector. The second round of grants will reopen this month, so keep an eye on our website for further updates on this.

If you’re a landowner, organisation, or community group in the National Forest and would like to support our work, you can find out more about our grant schemes and check if you’re eligible for funding by visiting our website or emailing grants@nationalforest.org

30 South Street, Ashby de la Zouch

Leicestershire LE65 1BT

Tel: 01530 414111 Fax: 01530 417022

21-25 London Road, Coalville

Leicestershire LE67 3JB

Tel: 01530 834466 Fax: 01530 810886

24 De Montfort Street

Leicester LE1 7GB

Tel: 0116 2551901 Fax: 0116 4298973

The Loft, 7A Market Place, Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8DS

Tel: 01332 863810

Castle Medical Group

Staff Updates

We would like to welcome Catherine (patient services), Holly and Catherine (phlebotomists) to the team. We are sorry to see Sue Clough leave and wish her all the best.

Referral Processes

We would like to confirm the processes that we follow if it is identified that you need to be seen or receive input from a specialist service or hospital consultant.

As part of our referral process we have a number of options available to us and your referral will be managed using one of these methods:

• NHS E-Referral Service (eRS) – this is a national booking system for appointments. We will send you a letter which gives you the details in relation to your appointment and contact details if you haven’t had the appointment confirmed.

• Referral Support Service – we will send you a letter in relation to your referral, a specialist from the service will review your referral and they will then contact you to arrange an

appointment with the most appropriate service.

• Other Electronic Referrals e.g. community services – the service will be in touch directly with you to arrange an appointment.

If you have been referred and are awaiting confirmation on your appointment date, unfortunately we will not be able to provide you with any updates as we do not have access to their systems and cannot see what appointments they have booked. Please contact the relevant service or hospital you have been referred to directly. If you are unsure on the telephone number you need, refer to our website.

What To Do Following a Bereavement

We understand that dealing with bereavement is devastating, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the legal process. We try our best to make the process straightforward. In this article Luke Smyth recommends what you should do in the initial stages following a bereavement.

1. Don’t panic. Nothing needs to happen urgently and you can largely deal with things at your own pace.

2. Early on you will need to obtain the medical death certificate from the hospital or GP surgery Then you will be able to make an appointment with the Registrar for births, death and marriages to obtain the full death certificate.

3. At the same time, you can liaise with the funeral directors to make the funeral arrangements. When you register the death the Registrar will issue a green form and this will allow the funeral directors to proceed with their formalities.

4. You may wish to check through the person’s paperwork to locate a Will. The Will confirms who is appointed as the executors and it may also say what the funeral wishes are.

5. Whilst you are reviewing the paperwork, you may wish to collate the financial documents. This will help for when you are ready to instruct the solicitor. A starting point would be to gather together bank statements, cards in a wallet or purse, life policies, share certificates, utility bills and pension reports.

6. Throughout the process you may be asked to obtain a document called a Grant of Probate. We will be able to guide you on this but in simple terms whether you need a Grant of Probate will be determined by the value of any individual sole assets. If the person owned a property in their sole name then you will always need to obtain a Grant of Probate before you can sell or transfer the property.

7. When you are ready, do contact us. We will then be able to give you specific guidance. We would also be happy to offer a no obligation appointment if you just require some general advice.

Simpson Jones specialise in helping bereaved people deal with the legal aspects after a person has died. If you would like advice or information on what to do following a bereavement, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Plan ahead. Talk to one of our specialists today.

Vomiting (6)

Peace, harmony (6)

Shaking (11)

Capsule for egg cell production (6)

Pilots (6)

Dark liquid (3) Down:

Garment hung in loose folds (6)

Took (6)

Easily bent (6)

Tight fitting hat (6)

Apparent (11)

Dramatic ending (11)

Bitterly regret (3)

Tall deciduous tree (3)

Reason (6)

Establish ascendancy (6)

Fast-spinning star (6)

Colourless reactive gas (6)

Across:

Juice (3)

Nearly (6)

Small white-fleshed fruit (6)

Becoming higher value (11)

Brought back (6)

Firm sweet (6)

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Investing can be daunting. Where’s the best place to put your savings? What level of risk are you willing to take? How might fluctuating markets affect your investment? And how can you monitor performance?

We understand. Which is why we aim to take the stress out of the process. At St. James’s Place, our distinctive approach to investment management calls on the expertise of some of the world’s leading fund managers. Which means healthy long-term investment performance is within your grasp. What’s more, being local means we’re here to help whenever you need us.

The value of an investment with SJP will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. Call

Focus on Crocus

The spring crocus is so joyous. They are hardy and perennial so they will keep coming back each year. The leaves are small and die down in late spring disappearing completely so no residual messy leaves are left. Crocus prefer conditions that are free draining rather than waterlogged and can be great for pots and rockeries as well as planting in drifts in the grass or under trees. Generally, they like to be in a sunny aspect.

There are various types of crocus. My favourites are any of the species and hybrids that naturalise well. This means that the number of flowers will multiply year on year and are such good value for money. This group of crocus tend to flower quite early, between January and March, depending on the weather. The size of flower will depend upon the exact variety but the height will be 4 - 10cm. For a white flower with an egg-yoke yellow centre choose crocus ‘Malyi’, it’s very reliable.

For a shock of orange crocus ‘Orange Monarch’ has the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). A stunningly beautiful pale lilac one is crocus ‘De Jager’. This has a light lavender petals with a violet strip in the centre, and the outer petals are very slightly tinged yellow, very beautiful indeed. If you are after a strong deep dark purple then I suggest crocus ‘Ruby Giant’. For a blast of different colours, purple, white and yellow all

Other Jobs in the garden

within one flower, then the easy to remember ‘Tricolour’ is the one for you.

There is a group of crocus known as ‘Large Dutch Flowering’ which are reliably bigger, being 10-12cm tall and are particularly useful for pots and window boxes because they show up above the rim of the pot. These tend to flower a little later, usually in March. From this group there is a yellow variety with the AGM badge called ‘Golden Yellow’. One of the loveliest white forms of all crocus falls within this Large Dutch Flowering group and it is beautifully named Crocus ‘Joan of Arc’; its petals are just pure white. Crocus ‘Pickwick’ is another large variety and is unusual because its petals are silvery white and veined with purple.

To seek a wider and more unusual range of colours the chrysanthus varieties are definitely worth investigating. In particular the Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’ will astonish you with the bright beauty of its light blue petals and pearly blue insides set off with a yellow centre.

Happy gardening.

By local garden designer, Francesca Sinclair

For bespoke contemporary and traditional garden design www.francescasinclair.co.uk 07901 547 360

How will your fence look after

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE.

The moment a fence falls or breaks, you have to deal with third party damage, security and privacy issues, neighbours, quotes, the expense and inconvenience – all at once. Alternatively, a simple call to ColourFence can head off all your problems for the next 25 years! Virtually maintenance-free, before the Spring growing season starts, now is the best time to see our great value, colours & designs. Freephone today.

The product is just what we were looking for and wish we had discovered it years ago. No more annual painting or waking up to fallen panels! We are very pleased with our new fence. Mr & Mrs Green, Sandy

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Create your look with a choice of designs and sizes in four colours

To see our wide choice of sizes, colours and designs –contact us today!

We also have a wide range of ColourRail in various designs and colours, please ask for details.

Ashby Museum

Ashby Museum News

The Museum has been asked to hand in an Accreditation Return in June, which is the gold standard for all museums. Trustees will be working hard over the next few months to ensure the Museum’s Forward Plan and various important policies, such as Health & Safety and Collections standards are up to date and valid.

We have also had a grant from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) to add further short videos, extra articles and some local songs to our Interface unit in the Zouche Gallery.

The first of our 2023 programme of talks is on Wednesday 22nd March in the Ferrers Community room at the museum at 2pm, for a charge of £4.50. Geoff Pursglove of the Ashby Canal Association will be talking about the latest progress on the canal restoration. Reserve your place by calling the museum on 01530 560 090 (11- 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Friday, 11am – 1.30pm Wednesday and 10am – 12.30pm Saturday).

Our temporary exhibition, A History of Women in Aviation by Ashby Inner Wheel continues

until the end of this month and a reminder that Bamfords next valuation afternoon with be on Monday 6th February from 2pm to 4pm.

In our shop, apart from the range of books mostly covering Ashby related historical topics, we have additional fascinating publications covering local areas such as Packington and Coleorton as well as Ashby related items including tea towels, postcards, coasters and fridge magnets. Pop in when you are in town and have a browse!

Orthotics are specially designed insoles that correct imbalances within your feet.

They are usually prescribed from a podiatrist and can help correct the way you walk addressing issues such as flat feet, high arches, heel pain, forefoot pain, shin splints, Achilles tendon pain, knee pain, hip pain and even back pain.

CUSTOM ORTHOTICS USING 3D SCANNING

Using highly accurate 3d foot scanning technology we can capture a digital imprint which is used to create a uniquely custom orthotic for you.

to create insoles that are unique for your foot type solely.

Using the captured imprint together with your initial biomechanical assessment a prescriptive Orthotic request is sent to a laboratory where your orthotics are professionally made.

Orthotics can be made for the Athlete, Diabetic, slim line shoe wear and for everyday shoes.

The orthotics base comes with a 10-year guarantee from structural deformity ensuring they will not flatten out with time and support your feet where needed.

Why do they develop?

This is particularly advantageous as every pair of feet are different and require varying levels of support. With 3-dimensional scanning we are able

The most common

is

• Tight footwear.

• General trauma.

• It runs in the family.

• Feet being exposed to sweaty or wet conditions persistently

• Contracted toes or bunions

• A person’s gait (the way he/she walks)

Please get in touch for more information.

Legends to perform at the Melbourne Assembly Rooms

For pulling rabbits out of a hat the Melbourne Assembly Rooms has managed to extract not one but two ‘bunnies’ in terms of legendary names of the pop world; booking concerts for legendary singers and chart toppers of the 1970s with first Tony Christie and then Kiki Dee.

Legendary singer Tony Christie first found international fame with hits like I Did What I Did For Maria, Walk Like A Panther, Las Vegas and of course the number one single (Is This The Way To) Amarillo. However, he is appearing at the Assembly Rooms in his new collaboration with crossover folk band Ranagri celebrating his Irish roots with songs that are featured on the album The Great Irish Songbook that came out in 2015. Following on from the success of The Great Irish Songbook, Tony and Ranagri have recorded a second album together, The Great Irish Songbook Vol II.

Kiki Dee will be performing alongside long-time collaborator Carmelo Luggeri. For almost two decades, Kiki and Carmelo have been touring their spellbinding acoustic live show across the UK and Europe. Performing in this stripped back fashion allows each of their exceptional talents to shine through and create a wonderful and warm sense of intimacy for the audience. The set will include new versions of her hits including Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, I Got the Music In Me, Loving & Free and the stunning Amoureuse along with songs from her critically acclaimed album A Place Where I Can Go.

The concerts are being staged as a part of the Assembly Rooms association with local promoters, Village Folk. Assembly Rooms Manager, Andy Heafield, the man responsible for booking them said ‘To get artists of this calibre to come to our venue is a real coup, part of the allure to come here is two-fold; how we treat our performers and

also the reputation the venue now has among artists and audiences alike.’

The Assembly Rooms is proving to be a ‘hit’ venue with many more concerts due in 2023 including the first-time venture, a 4-day festival ‘Big Village Small Town’ over the late May Bank Holiday with its patron, national broadcaster Mark Radcliffe. They have already secured the services of several nationally known performers including Edwina Hayes, the already mentioned Mark Radcliffe, 3 Daft Monkeys and the hit theatre show ‘Simply Dylan’ celebrating the music of Bob Dylan.

Tony Christie and Ranagri are appearing on Saturday 1st April. Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri are appearing on Saturday 11th November. Tickets are available from Melbourne Assembly Rooms or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/mccl

Melbourne Assembly Rooms, High Street, Melbourne Derbyshire DE73 8GF 01332 863522 • info@melbourneassemblyrooms.co.uk www.melbourneassemblyrooms.co.uk

Lisa Faulkner’s Choux Hearts With Berries

Having met her now husband, John Torode, on the 2010 series of Celebrity MasterChef – on which he was a judge and she a contestant – Lisa Faulkner knows full well that food is the language of love. So, what better way to woo your beloved on Valentine’s Day than with these stunning choux hearts?

Method

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Put the butter and water in a medium saucepan, add the salt and sugar, and bring to the boil. Ensure the butter is melted. Remove from the heat, add the sifted flour all at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan. Return to the heat and cook for 2 minutes until the paste is pale. Cool a little.

2 Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, incorporating fully with a wooden spoon after

each addition. The mixture will go glossy then back to dull. Add the eggs until the mixture is shiny again and it just drops off the wooden spoon. Cool the mixture for about 10 minutes. Put in a piping bag and pipe heart shapes on to a baking sheet dampened with a little water.

3 Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes then reduce the temperature to 160°C, gas mark 3, and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until golden.

4 Pour the cream into a chilled bowl and whisk, either by hand or with a hand mixer, until stiff peaks form. This may take a few minutes.

5 When cooked, turn the hearts over and pop back into the oven for 2 minutes to dry out a little. Split each heart in half horizontally and then spoon or pipe the whipped cream on the base. Top with the other half and fill the centre with the fruit. Serve immediately.

Ingredients (makes 8)

For the choux pastry

• 90g butter

• 360ml water

• pinch salt

• pinch sugar

• 110g plain flour, sifted

• 3 whole eggs, beaten well

To serve

• 500ml double cream

• 400g mixed fresh berries

Top Tip:

Be careful not to overwhip your cream. As soon as you have firm peaks (you should be able to hold the bowl over your head without it spilling out!) you should stop.

If berries aren’t your thing use whatever fruit you prefer… mango and passion fruit, for example.

74 ASHBY LIFE – Your handy guide to local services and businesses

since Alan Wilson opened his ChipsAway Car-Care-Centre in Ashby in 2012, the need to move to bigger premises was inevitable. As Alan explains, “We now have over 4,000 customers from across our territory, which spans from Swadlincote through Ashby, taking in Ibstock, Whitwick, Coalville and continues right through to Ratby, Groby and part of Glenfield. The need for bigger premises has been on the agenda for some time now and we are delighted to have secured this impressive new facility right in the heart of our area, at Apollo Court, Coalville. This new Car-Care-Centre is centrally placed for all of our customers and we are delighted to have added a new trainee technician Sam, who has joined our existing fully qualified team.” All ChipsAway technicians are trained to the highest possible UK Industry Standards (IMI, ATA, & BVRLA).

IMPORTANT: ChipsAway are taking every precaution to protect our Customers and Staff during the Covid-19 Pandemic. We have Strict Procedures in place to ensure that Social Distancing will be observed at all times. Customers Keys and the parts of their cars that our Technicians come into contact with, will be Sanitised before and after repairs take place. Technicians will be wearing Gloves and Masks at all times and all Payments will be taken Electronically, with no Cash or Paper exchanging hands.

Value for Money

Cooking fires make up half of all accidental fires in the home in England. Please follow the below advice to keep yourself and your family and friend’s safe

Cooking safely

• Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe.

• Make sure saucepan handles don’t stick out – so they don’t get knocked over

• Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – this can easily catch fire.

• Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.

• Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking.

• Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking – take pans off the heat or turn hobs down to avoid risk.

Kitchen Electrics

• Keep electrics (leads and appliances) away from water.

• Check toasters are clean and placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls.

• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.

• Don’t put anything metal in the microwave

What to do if a pan catches fire:

• Don’t take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.

• Don’t tackle the fire yourself – Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.

Meghan Ratcliffe

Ashby Fire Station

Follow us on Facebook - @ LFRSAshby

Later Life Planning – Part 3

Bereavement

If a close family member should die, it may be your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements; including:

• Obtaining the medical certificate

• Registering the death

• Arranging the funeral

• Notifying Government Organisations and Financial Institutions such as Banks, Pension Providers etc

• Applying for a Grant of Probate if one is required and report any potential Inheritance tax obligations.

If your spouse or civil partner has died

If your spouse or civil partner dies without a will, then inheritance will follow intestacy rules. Otherwise, you will inherit according to the will.

You may also be entitled to some or all of their pension, though this will depend on what kind of pension they had.

Financial arrangements after bereavement

Bereavement has many financial implications for the surviving Spouse/Partner. Furthermore, the needs of the survivor may change.

Considerations may include:

• Mortgages and/or loan repayments

• Pensions

• Savings and investments that were not jointly held

• Property and other assets

The surviving partner may be left to sort through a great deal of financial information, which can be an additional stress at an already difficult time. A financial adviser, particularly one that deals with Probate applications and executor responsibilities can take this burden off your hands and

ensure that everything is dealt with correctly.

If you have any questions relating to the above or any other aspects of your financial arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you

were not married or in a civil partnership

It is vital for partners who are not married (or in a civil partnership) to make wills, as you will not inherit anything unless your partner named you as a beneficiary in their will. Any inheritance received in this way may also be subject to Inheritance tax.

Ashby Aztecs build for bigger and better in 2023

Like so many community sports clubs, the Ashby Aztecs Basketball Club took 2022 as a year for change, optimism and renewed enthusiasm. With new committee members and a solid coaching structure in place, the 2223 season promised to lay the groundwork for local basketball to thrive in the coming years.

If there’s one thing the club has learned by this midpoint of the season, it’s that there is no lack of appetite for basketball in Ashby de la Zouch. The Aztecs’ ever-exciting junior programme continues to drive participation for young ballers across the local area, with more than 50 regular players developing their skills on the court. Similarly, the senior teams have introduced regular open training sessions, allowing new players to earn their spot on our A, B and C teams throughout the season, or

simply providing a first taste of the sport to prospective members.

This season has also seen the club engage even more with the local basketball community. In December, Club Coach Alan Benn organised for a group of more than 30 club members to watch the current British Basketball League champions Leicester Riders in action at the Morningside Arena. Watching top-flight basketball was not only great entertainment for club members and families, but also showed just how far club players can go in the sport, with many Aztecs alumni having forged a similar path over the years.

For now, the Aztecs’ three senior teams continue their seasons in the Leicestershire Basketball League, with regular competitive action delivering a fun and rigorous challenge for veterans and newcomers alike. Whether it’s through a hunger for competition, an opportunity for regular exercise or a chance to meet new people, Ashby Aztecs Basketball Club strives to get the local community active through basketball and highlight, above all, the power of sport and physical activity.

To contact the basketball club, check out their website at www. ashbybasketball.co.uk

Find more information on: www.ashbysport.com

Saturday 11th February DISNEY PRINCESS VINTAGE

Community Board

Free it Drop In Sessions

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland are offering free IT help for older people who may be using a smartphone, tablet, iPad or laptop computer for the first time. If you have never used a tablet before they can lend one to you to get started. The free drop-in sessions are being held at Coalville Library, High Street, Coalville, LE67 3EA on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 11am – 1pm. There’s no need to book – just drop in. For further information please telephone 0116 2045117 or email digitalchampions@ageukleics.org.uk

Trinity Hall Badminton Club

Trinity Hall are a small friendly club of average ability (non league) who meet on Monday evenings. They meet at Holy Trinity Church Hall off Church Walk, Kilwardby Street, Ashby from 7.30pm to 9pm. New members are always welcome and they play two terms January to May and September to December. For further information please contact Rachel on 07946 871 057.

Open House

Don’t let the worry of rising energy bills control your life. Visit the warm bank at the Marlene Reid Centre in Coalville between 6pm and 9pm on a Wednesday evening – it’s completely free. Socialise, meet other local people and stay warm this winter. It’s a chance to enjoy arts and crafts, watch the telly or just have a chat about your day. Hot food and drinks are available. No need to book, just turn up. Call 01530 510 515 or email info@mrc.uk.net for details.

Ashby U3a

This month’s meeting ‘Songs & Monologues’ will take place at the Congregational Church, Kilwardby Street, Ashby at 1.30pm on Tuesday 28th February. Famous for their recording of

the Swad Song that went viral – ‘5 in Harmony’ explore their county from its pits to its pubs and more, often in the Derbyshire dialect. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available – along with a warm welcome. If you are not a member of Ashby u3a why not come along for a ‘taster’ visit? For more information go to ashbyu3a.co.uk or phone 01283 760348.

The 24Hour Netball Marathon

Ashby Netball Team are attempting to break the world record for the number of netball goals scored in a 24 hour period to raise funds for local charity; The Kids Village. Based in Staffordshire, the Kids Village will be the UK’s first respite holiday village just for children with critical illness. The event will take place across Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February and the challenge is to beat the current world record of 15,000 netball goals. To make a donation see https://gofund.me/ a422fcf5

Renew Wellbeing

Ashby Baptish Church, Brook Street, Ashby run this group every Wednesday from 12noon to 2.30pm offering a quiet shared space ‘where it’s OK not to be OK’. It’s an opportunity to share a hobby or skill, or to join in a workshop or activity. Alternatively, you can come to simply relax and chat, and enjoy the peace in their quiet area. All are welcome, no need to book and no charge is made. Please take your own lunch.

Ashby Town Council Calendar of Meetings

All meetings start at 6.30pm and are held at Legion House, South Street, Ashby. Meetings for February: 20th – Planning & Transport, Licensing. Members of the public are welcome to join. Full details for attending can be found at www. ashbytowncouncil.gov.uk/meetings-calendar

Did you know you can put community information on this page free of charge (subject to space)? So, whether you are looking for new members, volunteers or just have some information that you’d like to let local people know about simply email the details over to us at info@lifemagazines.co.uk We’d love to hear from you.

As we go through our lives, we become part of different groups: our family; close friends; our school class; work colleagues. The group of people becomes close if everyone is of similar mind and is pulling in the same direction. The group can be described as being ‘one’ - of one mind or one purpose.

This is one way to think about what it is like to belong to the church. The Apostle Paul explained this to early believers. As members of the church, they were connected.

To help visualise this, Paul compares the church to a body. The members are different parts. And as their direction comes from God, Jesus is the head.

‘Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body… Even so the body is not

made up of one part but of many.’ (1 Corinthians 12:12)

A body has many parts all with different functions: some parts are visible, some are not, some parts may be perceived as beautiful and some less so! But all parts are needed for the body to function as one. Likewise, a church needs different people with different abilities and skills and talents for it to function correctly, with Jesus as its head.

For the months of February and March, Ashby Christadelphian Church are having a talk each Sunday at 10am around the subject of One - One Body, One Faith, One Spirit, One Baptism, One Lord, One God and how this is important to our lives. Why not come along and see how you can be a part of something bigger?

Useful passage to look up: 1 Corinthians ch12 vs12-27

Editorial by Ashby Christadelphian Church, Union Passage, Ashby. www.ashbychurch.co.uk Facebook: @AshbyChristadelphianChurch

G R E A T D A Y S O U T

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S H O R T B R E A K S & H O L I D A Y S

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2 5 t h J u n T h e C r e a m o f D e v o n - 5 d a y

TAKE CONTROL NOW TO BEAT THE TAX CHILL

Following his controversial ‘stealth tax’ Statement in November, the Chancellor made a raft of key personal taxation and pension announcements.

The government pledged its commitment to the pensions Triple Lock, which will increase the State Pension in line with September’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of 10.1%. This means that the value of the basic State Pension will increase in April 2023 from £141.85 per week to £156.20 per week, while the full new State Pension will rise from £185.15 to £203.85 per week.

Then came some ‘stealth’ announcements set to pull people into paying higher rates of tax, more people paying IHT, a cut to tax-free earnings from dividends and a reduction in CGT allowances. In addition to the Dividend Allowance and CGT allowance and IHT freeze, other key personal tax announcements included:

• The Income Tax additional rate threshold (ART) at which 45p becomes payable will be lowered from £150,000 to £125,140 from 6 April 2023. The ART for non-savings and non-dividend income will apply to taxpayers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The ART for savings and dividend income will apply

UK-wide. This move is set to push 250,000 more people into this band.

• The Income Tax Personal Allowance and higher rate threshold are to remain at current levels – £12,570 and £50,270 respectively – until April 2028 (rates and thresholds may differ for taxpayers in parts of the UK where Income Tax is devolved).

With an increasing number of people likely to be impacted by these changes, we can’t stress enough the importance of tax year end planning. Although some of these changes don’t come in with immediate effect, it is vital to ensure you are in the best place possible to take advantage of any allowances, exemptions, and reliefs available this year and to prepare for the changes that come in over the next few years. With plenty to consider and factor into your financial plan, valuable financial advice remains central to achieving your goals and aspirations.

At DGS we take the time to understand our client’s unique planning needs and circumstances, so that we can provide you with the most suitable solutions in the most costeffective way. For a free review of your current financial situation please contact Ian Staley on 01530 567020.

A vet for your pets

While our visits to the vet may be infrequent, it’s still important to want to feel as if the specialist you choose is as invested in your pet’s welfare as you are. So with that in mind, here are a selection of things to consider when it comes to choosing one who understands both your needs and those of your little buddy.

Word of mouth

Whether your passion is a dog, cat, budgerigar or Burmese python, pet owners are a social community and rarely shy away from sharing opinions, both positive and negative.

That means the pet parents among us will always be the best source for reviews, so rather than just believe the hype of some website marketing, jump on social media and see who is well rated locally.

Read the paw print

Pet healthcare is often pricey, and cost is the biggest factor we attach to our selecting of a vet. That means clarity is key when it comes to arranging healthcare for your dependent, so check detail and ensure the extent of potential fees. And of course, while it’s always wise to have pet insurance, ensure your vet is willing to co-operate with your policy holder to provide a seamless, stress-free service.

Listen to your animal instinct

The best care often means feeling comfortable and happy from the minute you walk in the door, so visit your prospective surgery and make sure it suits you and your pet.

Look out as well for a few tell-tale signs of the establishment’s commitment to the animals it treats. Are there clean bowls of water left out?

Perhaps you can spot blankets and toys for anxious animals? Are posters and information messages up to date? If all these boxes are ticked, it offers good signs your pet will be in good hands.

Follow the pack

It follows that a busy veterinary practice is generally a good sign that they offer decent care for reasonable prices. Therefore, as long they aren’t so oversubscribed that you can’t get an appointment, don’t be put off by a little paw traffic.

Stay on your turf

We all know that medical emergencies rarely fit a sociable timetable, and is vital to know that you can get your pet the help they need any time, day or night. This not only means choosing a practice you can get to easily, but also one that offers emergency care without you having to venture too far afield.

Could give this bundle of hope the best start in life? you

Can you help a puppy to become an amazing assistance dog, to transform the life of someone with disabilities?

We are looking for dedicated people with the time and energy to care, socialise and give basic training to one of our future assistance dogs.

This is a rewarding voluntary role, caring for a puppy from 8 weeks to between 14-18 months. You will learn new skills, make new friends, and be supported every step of the way.

You will receive a puppy starter pack, plus all the puppy’s food and vet bills will be covered.

One of the most rewarding things you could ever do for yourself, for the puppy, and for a person with disabilities, join us as a Puppy Parent volunteer.

Please mention ASHBY LIFE when responding to adverts

Canine Partners, registered charity in England and Wales (803680) and Scotland (SC039050).

Clever cookers

The UK’s cost of living crisis has seen the average household’s energy bill increase to around £3,500, as we experience the highest inflation rates in 40 years, so is it time to turn away from the oven and invest in one of these more energy-efficient cooking appliances?

With up to 10% of your energy bill spent on kitchen appliances, it follows that cooking with more energy-efficient appliances could save you hundreds of pounds a year. Here we explore the most efficient alternatives, from the ubiquitous microwave to the humble slow cooker.

Hobs

When it comes to hobs, much like your oven, gas is cheaper, but electric is more effective.

A lot of heat is lost into the room with gas, but the difference in cost makes the result negligible.

However, an induction hob is incredibly efficient because there is no energy lost around the pan (even electric ceramic plates waste heat), so if induction is an option, go for it.

Microwaves

Microwaves use up to 80% less energy than a conventional oven and cost as little as 8p a day to run. The downside of course is what you gain in speed and convenience, you lose in versatility.

However, it may be worth switching to your microwave when cooking vegetables, pasta and poached eggs, over boiling big pots of water on the hob.

Slow cookers

It’s official, slow cookers are back in fashion, and with good reason. Not only have they been found

to run on as little energy as a lightbulb, they are also great for feeding a family and can make tough cuts of meat such as beef shin and brisket tender and delicious.

They are also very hands off, meaning you can throw the ingredients in and leave it for hours!

Air Fryers

A relatively new invention, air fryers are essentially small convection ovens, making them ideal for small jobs such as cooking frozen fish fingers for your child’s tea or heating up a small pie for lunch.

Also, as the name suggests, the air fryer makes superbly crispy chips with a lot less energy than the oven… and a lot less oil than a traditional fryer.

Pressure cookers

Pressure cookers can save a huge amount of energy compared to traditional cooking methods, simply because they get the job done so much quicker. They also make cheap ingredients – lowquality cuts of meat, dried beans and pulses etc. – into meals fit for a king.

The one downside of the pressure cooker is that they take a bit of getting used to, especially as the pressure releasing process can be rather scary!

We hope this edition of Ashby Life finds everyone safe & well. Over at TCV we have been busy in January shaking off the wintery slumber and working to improve the biodiversity of woodlands and ponds as well as planting new hedges & laying existing hedgerows, a traditional skill that we love to teach people about. We’ve been blessed with sightings of ravens and foxes as well - bonus!

As we round off our winter programme of works before heading into spring, we’ll be creating hundreds of metres of new hedgerows along with other tasks. Those who want to join in should contact our project officer for the National Forest area, Jack Riggall, at jack.riggall@tcv.org. uk or 07483 045 711.

For those who are looking for answers to our mini tracking quiz from January, the footprints were those of a brown hare and a red fox. Congratulations to those who knew the answers!

John Torode’s Tru ed Macaroni And Smoked Haddock Bake

Want something that combines supreme comfort with a little decadence this Valentine’s Day? Well look no further than this divine truffled macaroni dish with an extra boost from smoked haddock, created by MasterChef’s John Torode.

Method 1 Blend together all the ingredients for the breadcrumbs in a food processor until roughly chopped, season, then set aside. Boil the macaroni one minute less than the time on the pack, drain, toss in the olive oil and set aside.

2 Tip the onion, milk and the smoked haddock into a pan, and season. Simmer gently for 10 mins, then remove the haddock. Flake the flesh and drizzle with the truffle oil and set aside.

3 Mix the butter and flour together to make a paste. Over a low heat, whisk the paste into the hot milk and bring to the boil, stirring all the time. Remove from the heat and add half the grated cheese and stir well.

4 Take the pan off the heat, tip the pasta into the sauce and mix well, then fold through the haddock and season with ground black pepper. The

Ingredients (serves 8)

For the macaroni

• 250g macaroni

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 500ml milk

• 300g smoked haddock

• 1 tbsp truffle oil

• 50g soft butter, plus extra for the dish

• 25g plain flour

• 100g gruyère, coarsely grated

For the breadcrumbs

• 50g white breadcrumbs

• small pack parsley, leaves picked

• small thyme sprig, leaves picked

• small pack tarragon, leaves picked

• 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

• small piece of butter

• drizzle of truffle oil, plus extra to serve

sauce may seem a little thin, but it’ll thicken as it cooks. Butter a large ovenproof dish and tip in all the macaroni (I like it piled high), then finish by scattering over the rest of the cheese and most of the breadcrumbs. This can be prepared a day ahead, covered and kept in the fridge.

5 To cook, heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark

6. Bake for 20 mins until bubbling and sprinkle with the rest of the breadcrumbs. Bake for five minutes more, then drizzle a little more truffle oil on top, and scatter some extra herbs, if you like.

White to move and win in 4

White could mate with Qg7 if the Black Knight could be taken or moved, but is there a better and quicker way for White to proceed?

Chess is now played by millions online, but many consider that it is far better enjoyed when playing face to face with another person. Ashby has an excellent Chess Club with over 25 members and welcomes people of all ages and playing abilities. We meet in the Front Lounge of the Ivanhoe Social Club in Wilfred Place from 7pm on Thursday evenings. If you are interested in possibly joining us contact Neil Roberts on 07804 743471 or njhammer145@gmail.com.

You can also check out our web site ashbychess. co.uk where amongst other things there is an interactive daily puzzle like this one. To play the above puzzle interactively, go to Chess Puzzle of the Day, then under Chess Tools – Past Daily

Chess Puzzles, and then hit Next Page a few times to scroll back through the dates to May 11, 2022.

The solution can be found on page 108.

Aerials & Satellite

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Christian Rose Violins 16 Builders & Building Supplies

Beeston Building and Groundworks 27 Charities

Canine Partners 93 Childcare, Clubs, Schools & Tuition Forest Way School 81

Grace Dieu Manor Park Holiday Club 73

Ticthy Town & Hero Town 13 Top Marks Tutoring 87 Tumbletots 78 Chiropodists

Ashby Chiropody & Podiatry Clinic 102 Perfect Feet Podiatry and Chiropody Clinic 71 Cleaning, Ironing & Laundry Services

Breedon Carpet Care 58 Caring Cleaners 16 Deanclean 48

Diamond Ovens 102 Ovenclean 83

Clothing

Just For You 78 Dental Services

Beautiful Dentures 89 Domestic Appliances 1-4-All Appliance Repairs 98 Contracool Home Solutions Ltd 78 Driving Schools

Bardon School of Motoring 53 RDT School of Motoring 69 Electricians

A & J Bartlett Ltd 97 M D Smiths Ltd 67

P A Smart Electrical Services 52 Ramsell & Watkins 83 Estate Agents & Housing Alexanders Estate Agents 11 Cameron Homes 37 Royston & Lund 17 Events & Attractions

Through the Wardrobe 48 Financial Services

Advance Insurance Services [Midlands] Ltd 69 DGS IFA Ltd 91

Great British Finance 79 Ivanhoe Financial Planning 63 Food & Drink

Smithyard’s Bakery 27 Moo Fresh 51

The Honest Wine Company 39 Funeral Services

Markfield Natural Burial Ground 55 Furniture Repairs and Restoration Hopgood’s Re-Upholstery & Restoration 27

Mark Miller Leather Cleaning & Repairs 76

Garden Maintenance

Arctic Cabins Ltd 40

Artisan of Ashby Limited 32

Charnwood Tree Services 45 Colour Fence 65

Eden Tree Care & Fencing Ltd 61 & 98 GDR Landscaping 83 Green Grass 69

Green Thumb (Ashby) 112

Ken Ward 53

Redfern Landscape Ltd 55 Roughly Refined Garden Service 51 Silvan Tree Specialists 9 Stone Drives & Landscapes 109 Hair & Beauty

Ashby Barbers 75 Styles with Smiles 16 Healthcare & Wellbeing

Ashby Osteopathic Clinic 59 Body in Balance Sports Therapy 98

Extra Help 108

Helen Forman 107 No Place Like Home 32 Prestige Nursing 78 ProPhysio Ashby 47 The Hearing Centre 103 Vitalize Physiotherapy 89 Home & Interiors

Ashby Stoves ....................................................... 8 Birch Bedrooms Ltd 94

FABCO Interiors 56 & 57 Fairweathers Carpets 99 Gliderobes 33

John Mills Curtains 26 Joy Interiors 16

Marathon Blinds & Shutters 83 Shuttercraft 87

The Bed Shop 5

The Stone & Tile Company 9 I T Services

Ashby IT Recycle 39 Code & Evolve Ltd 58 Kitchen & Bathroom

Dream Doors 49 Holme Tree 43

Owen Williams Kitchens 2 Robert Pochin 101

The Little Kitchen and Bathroom Company Limited 111 Locksmiths

Hazlewood Locksmiths 105 Lockfit Ltd 69 Misc / Notices

Shared Lives Leicestershire 98 Straw Dog Records 109 Motor Services

A D Car Cosmetics 90 Chips Away 75 Neville Cars 22

Speedy Auto Spares Ltd 54 Painters & Decorators

Andy Weston Decorating 98

Design Decorators

83

James Pepper Property Solutions 61

Pet Services

Pooch la Zouch 109

Places of Worship

Ashby Christadelphian Church 84 Plasterers

Wooldridge Plastering Services 68 Plumbing, Heating & Gas Services B Wilkinson Plumbing 69

James Pepper Plumbing & Heating 97

Kirkland Plumbing & Heating 44

Mcgrath Plumbing and Heating 107

MJM Plumbing & Heating Services (Midlands) Ltd 103

S D Hill (Plumbers) 7

Therm Heating 90

Property Repairs & Maintenance

Access 4 Lofts (Stafford) 36

Ashbyhandyman.co.uk 107

CDM Property Maintenance .................. 45 Glyn’s Gutters 67

KB Property Maintenance 31

Silver Knight Property Maintenance 109

Tradewise Drives and Patios 86

Trust The Job 22 Pubs, Cafes, Restaurants & TakeAways

Cattows Farm 21

Hill Farm Café & Farm Shop 12

The Lyric Rooms 81

The Priest House Hotel 39 Wong Kwei 42 Zamanis 3 Roofing

D H Phillips Flat Roofing 90

RSJ Roofing 107

T S Roofing 53

The Roofing Company (Leicestershire) Ltd 71

Slimming Services

Slimming World 68 Solicitors & Will Writers

Crane & Walton 52

Fishers Solicitors 41

Martin Hall 87

Simpson Jones Solicitors 59

Smith Partners 18 & 19

Timms Solicitors 95

Sports, Fitness & Leisure

Dance Ashby 15

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Krav Maga Ashby 70

Sunnyside Adventure 25

Travel & Holidays

Maple Retreat Holiday Lodge 22

Roberts Holidays 85

Skills Holidays 66

Windows & Doors

Easy Glide Garage Doors 90

Progress Windows 77

Window Mate 73