October 2017 - Ashby & Measham Community Eye

ASHBY & MEASHAM

COMMUNITY EYE

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IVANHOE MEMORIAL COLLECTION

OCTOBER 2017

ASHBY’S LEADING GYM FITNESS REPUBLIC

Hundreds Of Food Items Donated To Ashby Foodbank

Opens Bigger & Better Venue After Major Investment

SWANNINGTON HERITAGE TRUST

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

A Chance To Make A Difference

Friday 1 December st

ANNUAL CONCERT POPPY APEAL

MEASHAM TOWER OF LIGHT

For The Royal British Legion Friday 10th November

Thursday 7 December th

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Heritage Talks at St Helen’s Community Heritage Centre Ashby-de-la-Zouch 7:30pm | £3 including light refreshments.

2 Oct - Ithiel Smart 1598 - 1661: A Famous Divine and A Painful Preacher

Heritage Talks at St Helen’s Community Heritage Centre There has been a tradition of lectures at St Helen’s Church since at least the 16th century. The last regular lectures to be held in the church were the Ashe Lectures, which brought many well known faces to the church in the 20th century: Lord Fisher of Lambeth, the Rt Revd Dr George Carey (then Archbishop of Canterbury) and the Rt Revd David Jenkins (Bishop of Durham) to name but a few. These lectures date back to 1654, when Francis Ashe, a wealthy merchant and a citizen of London, decided to repay his own success in life by giving a gift of £20 per annum to provide in the Parish Church a weekly lecture by a “godly, orthodox and ordained minister.” The lectures became annual events, the last of which was in 2003.

St Helen’s has recently been developing its heritage activities with the help of a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund grant. As part of the Heritage-related activities offered here, we are re-introducing a lecture series, a regular series of talks about subjects related to the church and its past.

Dates for 2017-18.

6 Nov - Houses of the Hastings Family in Leicestershire

All talks beginning at 7.30pm in the Hastings Room in the Community Heritage Centre. £3 including light refreshments.

2 Oct - Mrs Margaret King

4 Dec - Arthur Hildersham and the Plague Summer of 1625

Ithiel Smart 1598 - 1661: A Famous Divine and A Painful Preacher

6 Nov - Mr Peter Liddle MBE Houses of the Hastings Family in Leicestershire

5 Feb - Music of the Tudor Period

4 Dec - Dr Lesley Rowe

5 Mar - Selina, Countess of Huntingdon

5 Feb - Dr Nick Gravestock

1707 – 1791: her Life and Legacy

Arthur Hildersham and the Plague Summer of 1625

Music of the Tudor Period

5 Mar - Dr Susan Brown Selina, Countess of Huntingdon 1707 – 1791: her Life and Legacy

www.sthelensheritage.co.uk

www.sthelensheritage.co.uk

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Measham Community Library Opening Hours: Tuesday 10-7pm Thursday 10-1pm Friday 10-5pm Saturday 10-1pm Amenities: • Tea, coffee, biscuits and cold drinks.

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Our work parties are on Fridays from September to April and take place at a variety of local reserves. Please ring David Maltby for further details.

We had an enjoyable time with the Murder Mystery Evening. The Macmillan Coffee Morning was a great success.

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Deadline Date: 14th November Delivery Date: 28th November Deadline and delivery dates are subject to change without prior notice. _________________________________________ The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the original advertisers & contributors and do not necessarily represent Community Eye or OpenBox Promotions Ltd. OpenBox Promotions Ltd reserves the right to amend or refuse to publish articles or adverts submitted for publication. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission.

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November 17th Ben Devine of the Black to Green Project shows how a former mining landscape has been changed and describes how successful community involvement really works.

December 15th My favourite wildlife destination described by local members Roy Hill, Baz Forgham and Martin Vaughan. Preceded by the A.G.M. January 1st New Year’s Day walk at Newbold. Blow away the Cobwebs and see how a coalmine and opencast site have been restored and developed into an excellent nature reserve which hosts a wide range of birds, amphibians and reptiles. Please note this walk is unsuitable for people with mobility problems. Meet 1.00pm at New Lount Nature Reserve car gate.

January 19th Chris Hill of Cossington Reserve describes them development of this new reserve on the Soar Valley and outlines its importance to overwintering wildfowl.

January 27th Visit to Cossington reserve to hopefully see short eared owls and overwintering duck. Meet at 2.00pm on Rothley-Cossington road B5328 grid ref. 597130. Bring wellies and warm clothes.

February 16tth Andrew Heaton describes the wetlands of Leics and the River Mease. Phil and Wendy Lee explain how to encourage hedgehogs and care for them.

Feb 23rd Group meal at The Beeches, Burton Road Ashby.

Enjoy a meal with your wildlife friends and hear the latest news.

Mondays: Tai Chi 7pm-8.30pm Tuesdays: Knit-n-Stitch 10.30am Yoga 7.30pm-9pm Wednesdays: Stroke and Disability group 1pm-3pm Thursdays: Walking group meet outside at 10.30am Fridays: Rhymetime and Tales 10.30-11.30am for 0-4yrs Monthly meeting of the Book Club-contact the library for details.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter www.MeashamLibrary.org.uk Contact email: meashamcomlibrary@gmail.com Registered Charity No. 1167493

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March 16 Audrey Watson of British Association for Shooting and Conservation explains how to manage threats to mammal re-introductions and ways of helping declining species. th

April 20th Jools Partridge Wildlife Officer Leics County Council describes how wildlife affects his work on the bridges and structures of the built environment.

May 6th Ben Devine leads a butterfly foray at Donisthorpe Woodland Park, Church Street,Donisthorpe, DE12 7PX grid ref SK 317142. Help to survey the local population of the dingy skipper. Meet 2.00pm at main car park.

May 13th Cloud Wood in spring . See, listen and smell the delights of spring in this wonderful woodland. Meet at 9-.0 am in the layby at grid ref 417214 on the Griffydam-Tonge road.

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Ashby Museum News

Age UK Measham

Christmas cards exclusive to the Museum are now in stock - designed by local artist Di Lorriman. Prices are from £4.50.

Range of 5 designs (new 5th design of the station building and a Burton & Ashby Light Railways tram on the forecourt.) All are depicted in a seasonal setting!

Price: £1.10 each or £1.00 each for 5 or more. Also newly available is a range of wood turned products made by one of our volunteers: including light pulls, key rings, propelling pencils, ball point pens, tea lights, boxes and pot pourri pots.

Hall in High St open 10am-12pm Monday-Friday. Drop in for tea, coffee,toast or just come for a chat.

Come with a friend or on your own and meet others. Very friendly.

Monthly lunch also available. We would love to see you

The Museum was at the centre of the commemoration of the centenary of the death of Lt. Col. Philip Bent V.C. on Sunday 1st October, behind the town War Memorial. Upwards of 70 people attended including the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, members of the Royal Tigers Association, the local Royal British Legion, the Western Front Association, Army Cadet Force as well as Ashby School, Ivanhoe College and the residents of Philip Bent Road. Pride of place went to great-nephew, Keith Willis and his son, Liam who unveiled the paving stone to Bent. Refreshments were held at the Museum.

We were also represented at Thringstone Community Centre when they put on a display on Dolly Shepherd, the famous Edwardian parachutist.

The next Kids’ Club is on Saturday 4th November, 12 noon – 4p.m. Come and join Witan Archaeology to discover the past with prehistoric to modern day artefacts; excavate your own finds; make your own timelines and create artwork. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer please come to open coffee morning on Thursday 16th November at 10.30 am at the Museum.

Friends Of Ashby Museum Thank you to all those people who came to the Tap 76 for very interesting talk and tour of the pub. It was a unique chance to see how this very old building has changed from its 15th century beginnings to today. I would also like to thank all at the Tap for their hospitality in hosting us.

Unfortunately do to ill health of our next speaker the talk on garden design history will not take place in November as planned.

There now will not be any talk to Finnish this year but we will keep you informed of future events.

Christmas Tree Festival Friday 1st December - Christmas Tree Festival. Over 50 decorated and illuminated trees on display at Holy Trinity, Kilwardby Street, entry free. Refreshments and other attractions. Open 10.00 to 6.00pm on Friday and 10.00 to 4.00pm on Saturday.

Castle Medical Group News Swannington Heritage Trust A Chance To Make A Difference Have you ever felt that you would like to make a noticeable difference to your community? Well that’s what our Land Management Volunteers do on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Facilitating Walkers’ Access Walking is one of the most popular leisure activities in the UK. About 13,500 people walk through our woodlands each year. Our volunteers frequently receive feedback from walkers that using our sites is so enjoyable because the paths are well maintained.

Nurturing Woodlands Left to their own devices woodlands rapidly become inaccessible. Our volunteers prune trees and shrubs, fell dead trees, cutback brambles and control bracken. We also rejuvenate the gorse bushes in the Gorse Field, split and transplant snowdrops, create log piles for insects and maintain ponds as wildlife havens.

Heritage Conservation What makes us different to wildlife conservation groups is that we also have a heritage conservation role. Projects include painting coal mine wheels, conserving a 19th century winding engine, repairing a horse gin and looking after the remnants of former coal mine and railway buildings.

Comradeship Perhaps the most important element of our team is that our volunteers enjoy working together, swapping tales during the coffee break and sharing a joke.

We are fortunate to have great volunteers, but work opportunities always exceeds our capacity. A few more helpers would make a big difference, so come along and see what we do; to find out more email chairman@ swannington-heritage.co.uk or phone 01530 222 833.

Christmas at the Mill - 2pm Sunday 3rd December Enjoy the start of the Christmas season by visiting our 200 year old Hough Mill. Admire the decorations put up by Teddy Miller and his family. Meet Santa. Have a go at traditional games and craft activities.

Munch on a cake or hot dog, washed down with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine.

Hough Mill is accessed by a 300 metre track from St George’s Hill, Swannington, LE67 8QW. See our website www.swannington-heritage. co.uk or Hough Mill Facebook page for more details.

Facts & Figures For September: • This month we dealt with 6957 calls - average waiting time was 2 minutes 35 seconds • This month our secretaries have dealt with 476 referrals • We dealt with 1889 electronic prescriptions • There were 317 DNA appointments We thank everyone who contacted us to cancel their appointment so another patient could use it.

Flu Vaccination For Children Just a reminder to parents and carers that we now have plenty of stock of the nasal flu vaccination for children aged 2-4 (excluding children in Reception who will be immunised at school). It’s just a quick squirt up each nostril for children and will protect them against the really unpleasant effects of flu. Please book with reception now if you would like your child to have this vaccination.

It’s coming to that time of year again when coughs, colds, sneezing and sore throats are abundant. These are all the signs of the common cold. If you have any of the following symptoms raised temperature (3940c), sweating, overwhelming tiredness, chesty cough and sneezing these are signs that you may have flu. Most healthy adults do not need to see a doctor for colds or flu. You should rest your body; drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids; ask your local pharmacist for advice AND remember antibiotics will not help colds, flu or sore throats.

Children or adults with chronic health conditions, very high temperature or severe pain should seek medical advice. For detailed information visit NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/livewell/coldsandflu/ Pages/Coldsandfluhome.aspx

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Ivanhoe Memorial Collection On August 24th, the first staff training day of the year, Ivanhoe returned to the incredibly sad news that the Principal’s husband, Phillip Blewitt, had suddenly passed away.

Mr Blewitt was himself, a retired teacher, having previously worked at Bosworth College.

Ashby’s Leading Gym, Fitness Republic, Opens Bigger And Better Venue After Major Investment Fitness Republic, Ashby’s premier fitness and wellbeing venue, is throwing open its doors later this month to show-off its new, bigger and better gym. The town’s friendly and modern gym has undergone a substantial expansion which has seen its floor space double, state-of-the art equipment installed and a new ‘Revive Zone’ introduced, providing refreshments to its members.

Simon and Sarah Pellecchia, owners of Fitness Republic, are looking forward to welcoming everyone at their ‘Open Weekend’ on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th October from 10am. Guests, members and anyone interested in taking a look will be able to see the extended gym, new facilities and the fresh design.

Simon said: “Fitness Republic has been at the heart of the town for over seven years. After listening to our members and local people, we’ve invested significantly to extend and remodel our gym space to create a stylish and modern venue. We’re extremely proud of the end result.

Our expert team, care and support everyone who walks through our door. Our ethos is to welcome every body – we have several members in their 70s and our youngest member is still at school. We’re passionate about helping everyone meet their fitness and health goals. We have a fantastic team, a lovely atmosphere and now we’ve got a whole lot bigger and better. We can’t wait to meet potential new members and anyone interested in coming to see what we have been up to for the past months.

It’s a great investment and a great fitness venue for Ashby.”

The husband and wife team have been working together for nearly 20 years. They took over the venue in May 2010 and together created the town’s leading fitness venue.

Sarah commented: “I’m really pleased with our final result. We’ve managed to install Ashby’s first indoor sled track which is great for functional training and a zone especially for women to work out comfortably. Our Fitness Classes remain popular and are always great fun, as well as an effective way to tone-up. We can’t wait for our members to start enjoying our new facilities. It’s been a lot of hard work to get to where we are today, but it’s all been worthwhile.”

Key Highlights: • Doubling the size of our fitness suite and weight training area • Adding extra state-of-the-art machines • Installing an indoor sled track • Introducing a bespoke women’s zone • Now includes a new ‘Revive Zone’ providing delicious refreshments to our members

We learnt from Anne-Marie Blewitt that her husband had been very involved working with foodbanks since his retirement, and so it seemed fitting that the school should arrange a collection in his memory.

Although as a school Ivanhoe regularly arranges collections for Ashby Foodbank as part of its charity work, we were completely overwhelmed with the amount of donations this time. Hundreds of items of food and care items were donated by staff and students.

We hope that some of our students will be able to follow up this collection with a visit to the foodbank in Ashby to see how the charity operates, as well as becoming a regular drop off point for donations all year round.

Trinity Methodist Church, Main Street, Markfield LE67 9UU www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org FB Markfield Methodist Church Friday 10th November 2017 – 7pm

The Inauguration Of Our Wonderful New Piano Piano Recital

by Renata Konyicska From the Birmingham Conservatoire (for more details of Renata please see our Church website) Tickets: £8 (under-16s £4) Available from 01530 242742 - 01530 242166 - 07812 142361

Cafe 1804 At Bosworth Marina Raises £65O For Macmillan Nurses All over the country businesses held a coffee morning on Friday 29th September in order to raise as much money as possible to donate to the charity, Macmillan Nurses. Every cake sold makes a huge difference to those facing cancer. Cafe 1804 at Bosworth Marina held a coffee morning and managed to raise a staggering £650.00.

Heidi Rutley, the cafe’s manager said "The money raised was due to the generosity of all our customers. Our staff donated all of their tips over a two week period and they also made and donated a large and varied selection of home made cakes to sell in the Cafe’. We held a raffle and participated in a couple of games to raise even more money. It was a fun, entertaining and a very successful morning" Cafe 1804 would like to thank everyone who participated in our quest, we look forward to seeing you all again.

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CAFÉ 1804 - New Café Bar Opens At Market Bosworth Marina The team at Market Bosworth Marina are proud to announce the opening of Café 1804, a fully licensed café open from 9am to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Manager Heidi welcomes the general public and the marina’s boaters in to the first floor Café, located in a stunning new building with panoramic views over the marina basin and of the Ashby Canal. In the heart of the Midlands countryside the Marina is just outside the picturesque and historic town of Market Bosworth, on the Warwickshire and Leicestershire borders.

Café 1804 aims to provide classic home cooked food finished with a twist. Head chef Will serves a carefully curated menu a simple sandwich to hearty breakfasts, home-made classics, and sharing platters. Sharon, the in-house pastry chef creates, among other sweets, the café’s speciality afternoon teas, including a three tiered triumph of cakes, scones and sandwiches, bookable in advance and perfect for a celebration. The space combines a modern /rustic fit out with handcrafted features. These include a hand painted mural of the canal highlighting local historic sites of interest by talented artist Claire Greenwood.

The café takes its name from the Ashby Canal, opened in 1804. The 30 mile long canal was originally used to haul coal and limestone from Moira and

continued to be used in this way until 1981. The 17 acres of landscaping around the soft edged marina basin include a lake of 4700 m² and a SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST habitat of 3500 m² adjacent to the canal which replicates the waterway’s habitat and attracts much wildlife. Bosworth Marina is committed to protecting this SSSI which is located on the waterway going towards Carlton.

Bosworth Marina was awarded a grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to assist in this project. www.cafe1804.co.uk Café 1804, Carlton Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, CV13 6PG Bookings and Enquiries; 01455 292900 or Heidi@cafe1804.co.uk Open Wednesday – Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm

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Encouraging Birds Into The Garden The misty cool mornings are here, heralding the arrival of autumn. Plants are setting seed and berrying up after what has been a wonderfully prolific growing season. There’s a plentiful splash of Hawthorn berries, Rowans and Crabapples giving colour to the hedgerows.

Echinops Thistle

Gaultheria

Sunflower

My garden has been full of families of Robins and Blackbirds this year whilst large flocks of Goldfinches and Swifts have been wheeling around above. Birds are not only wonderful to watch, they are also free pest controllers.

I often see Blue Tits picking Aphids from the Roses early in the summer and my friendly robin follows me around picking up caterpillars as I dig & weed. So it’s really worth encouraging bird life to help out in the garden.

from predators and nesting sites too. They are all fairly large shrubs so they’re suitable the back of a border, training on a wall or incorporated into a hedge.

Smaller berrying shrubs include Gaultheria & Pernettya and both are suitable for pots.

for foraging Finches and Tits in Autumn. Seeds for these are available in garden centres now.

Seeds I love to leave the seed heads on the perennials in my border as they look wonderful when glistening with frost during the Winter, they also provide a nutritious source of seeds for birds too. Try leaving the seedheads on perennials like Echinacea (Cone Flower), Rudbeckia, Verbena and Echinops to provide a tasty meal for Finches, Tits and Sparrows.

At this time of year providing food for them in the way of berries, seeds and fruit will encourage a constant stream of feathered friends who will be looking to stock up ahead of the cold winter months.

The key ingredients of many bird seed mixes are Sunflower and Thistle seeds. Annual Sunflowers are oil rich and favoured by Finches and Long-tailed Tits.

Teasels and thistles like Eryngium will provide generous meals for Finches and Sparrows if the flower heads are left on and allowed to develop.

Berries Pyracantha (Firethorn), Cotoneaster and Holly are all popular berrying shrubs with the added benefit of being evergreen so they provide shelter, a refuge

Hardy annuals which can be sown direct into the ground in Autumn or Spring like Cornflowers, Nigella and Poppies offer a colourful display for us through the summer and a plentiful supply of seeds

Bel Grierson

Garden Designer & Plantswoman

belgriersondesign info@belgrierson.co.uk

Fruit We may all love foraging for Blackberries in the Autumn, but so do the birds. Blackbirds favour these and Raspberries too so if you have them in your garden and you are willing to sacrifice some of your crop you will be rewarded with the song of a very happy Blackbird.

Apples and Crab apples provide a water rich source of food for larger birds like Blackbirds , Thrushes and Field Fares who will happily peck at fallen fruit in Autumn, so don’t be too tidy – let the birds have their fill first.

Delaying the garden tidy up in the autumn until the birds have feasted on the berries, seeds and fruits and adding a few seed rich perennials and annuals to the border will pay dividends when the garden is visited by an abundance of wildlife in the year to come.

Next month I’ll be preparing for Christmas and looking at how to create door wreaths from garden foliage and foraging.

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Radiators Taps Toilet systems Valves Heating pumps Pipes/leaks Power Flushout Specialist Plus many other plumbing jobs, enquiries welcome!

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Please send articles to: communityeye@openboxpromotions.co.uk

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Why not cut me out and pin up on your fridge or notice board.

Ashby & Measham Clubs & Groups

Do you run a local community club or group in Ashby & Measham? Please send us your details to: communityeye@openboxpromotions.co.uk

Ashby Big Band

David - 01530 458706 07886194993 ashbybigband@aol.com www.ashbybigband.com -------------------------------------------------

Measham Karate Club

07761131043 meashamkarateclub@gmail.com www.meashamkarateclub.co.uk -------------------------------------------------

Ashby Art Club

01530 412116 www.ashbyartclub.org We meet on Monday evenings at 7pm. Smisby Village Hall, Main Street, Smisby, Ashby, LE65 2TY -------------------------------------------------

Ashby Civic Society

Margaret Mabey 01530 412410 kenward.ashby@gmail.com We meet on the 2nd Tuesday in the Month at Legion House, 27a South Street, Ashby, LE65 1BQ -------------------------------------------------

Measham Bowls Club

Sue & Stuart Boothroyd 01530 274104 stuartboothroyd@btinternet.com High Street, Measham, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE12 7HR -------------------------------------------------

Ashby Bowls Club

info@ashbybowlsclub.co.uk www.ashbybowlsclub.co.uk The Green, Bath Grounds, Ashby, LE65 1BJ -------------------------------------------------

Venture Theatre

Ken Ward - 01530 589268 www.ashbyventuretheatre.org.uk The Theatre is open on Monday evenings from 8.00pm for anyone interested in joining or having a look round, everyone welcome!

North Street, Ashby, LE65 1HS For ticket sales please call Ashby Tourist Office on 01530 411767.

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Ashby U3A

Anne Donegan - 01283 760348 secretary@ashbyu3a.co.uk Congregational Church, Kilwardby Street, Ashby, LE65 2FQ -------------------------------------------------

Ashby African Drummers

Kaye Gillanders - 0777 2281699 ashbydrummers@googlemail.com Check us out on Facebook.

We are a community based group and meet once a fortnight

on a Wednesday from 7.30pm 9.30pm, at Moira Furnace, Furnace Lane, Moira, Derbyshire. DE12 6AT. The first taster session is free and then usually £3.00 per session thereafter. We sometimes have guest teachers visit, so best to contact us prior to coming to secure a drum and check suitability. We welcome people of all ages and abilities although children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Ashby Bridge Club

Ann 01530 458110 www.bridgewebs.com/ashby Different bridge sessions offered for all levels of bridge player, Monday and Thursday evenings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings, at Hood Park Leisure Centre.

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The Ashby Probus Club

Frank Bedford - 01530 467183 For retired professional and businessmen meets monthly in Ashby. We enjoy a pub lunch, speakers, a programme of outings and functions and each others company. The club welcomes new members.

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Ashby & District Stroke Support Group

Pat - 01530 413723 A friendly group for stroke survivors and their carers. We meet alternate Tuesdays at Brown Court Ashby from 2pm-4pm. Meetings involve speakers, meal sout,and general chat.

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Ashby Meditation

Irene - 01530414290 www.tarakmc.org Why not drop in and try our weekly classes on Thursdays September 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th, at 7.30 in Legion House, South Street, Ashby.

No need to book. Seating on chairs £6 per class.

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The Trinity Badminton Club

Secretary - 07801 700 664 The club is a small friendly club of average ability (non league) meeting Monday evenings at Holy Trinity Church Hall, off Kilwardby Street, Ashby from 7.30pm – 9.00pm. We play from Jan to May

then Sept to Dec. New members always welcome.

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Ashby Chess Club

N Roberts - 01530 455957 Chess club open to adults and juniors. Juniors start at 6.15pm and Adults start at 7.15pm. Meets every Thursday at Ivanhoe Social Club, Wilfrid Place, off Bath Street, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 2GW. ------------------------------------------------

Ashby Croquet Club

Rupert - 01530 272833 www.ashbycroquetclub.org.uk The New Season starts on Sunday 26th March on our 3 lawns situated at Moira Miners Welfare DE12 6BP (opposite Conkers Waterside). We play on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Please phone or visit the website if you want more details.

New players always welcome.

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Ashby Writers’ Club

David Bell - 01530 413371 Ashby Writers’ Club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm-9.30pm at Congregational Church, Kilwardby St, Ashby LE65 2FQ. Membership: £15 per annum.

Visitors are welcome at a nominal fee of £4 per speaker meeting, £3 per comp/manuscript meeting (includes coffee or tea).

------------------------------------------------

Tai Chi

Robin Taylor - 0773 8939271 r.taylor@virgin.net Class every Monday morning at Measham Leisure Centre 11.30 to 12.30. Beginners welcome.

------------------------------------------------

National Forest Taekwon-do 07795 276302

www.nationalforesttaekwondo.co.uk

Clubs in Netherseal and Measham ------------------------------------------------

Ashby Allotments Association

www.ashbyallotments.org.uk Visit our website for more details.

------------------------------------------------

Measham Welfare Football Club

Paul - 0758 404 5318

enquires@meashamwelfarefc.com www.meashamwelfarefc.com

Or follow us on Facebook

We are a FA Charter Club located at Measham Leisure Centre. Our aim is to offer boys and Girls of all ages and abilities, Long-term Football player development, in a safe and secure learning environment, with fun being at the forefront to everything we do. The club also runs to adult teams that play in the Leicestershire league.

Our open training sessions are: Girls Only Tuesday 5pm to 7pm Mixed Tuesday 6pm to 7pm (9 to 12 years). Mixed Friday 5pm to 6pm (5 to 8 years).

------------------------------------------------

Ashby Bridge club

Ann - 01530 458110 www.bridgewebs.com/ashby Held at Hood Park Leisure centre every week Monday and Thursday evenings, Wednesday afternoons (all duplicate), Friday mornings social bridge. Aimed at all levels of bridge player. Friendly and welcoming.

------------------------------------------------

Measham Townswomen’s Guild Noreen - 01530 271646

The Guild usually meet every

second Monday in the month at 7.00pm at Age Concern, High

Street, Measham. At the meeting on November 13th Malcom Bird

will talk about his experiences of

working in Africa in the 1950’s. On 4th December the members will

be enjoying their Christmas Party Lunch. Guests are invited to join

the Guild at an afternoon meeting on 11th December at 2:00pm

when Maria will be demonstrating a Christmas themed flower

display(charge £1 for guests).

The Townswoman’s Guild Derby

Federation Carol Service is to be held at St Lawrence’s Church,

High Street, Measham, at 2:00pm on Wednesday December 13th.

All welcome.

------------------------------------------------

Age UK Measham

Hall in High St open 10am-12pm Monday-Friday. Drop in for tea, coffee,toast or just come for a chat.

Come with a friend or on your own and meet others. Very friendly.

Monthly lunch also available. We would love to see you ------------------------------------------------

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Ashby (Ivanhoe) Travel Club

Measham’s Tower Of Light

The Ashby (Ivanhoe) Travel Club meets on occasional Wednesday evenings during the winter at the Ivanhoe College, North Street, Ashbyde-la-Zouch, LE65 1HX. Talks are illustrated with slides and cover a wide variety of topics with a travel theme. Meetings are held in the Pithiviers Room and commence promptly at 7.30pm. There is a small admission charge of £2 to cover expenses. For further information call Julie Nelson on 01530 588 197 or email juliesportsfan@yahoo.co.uk.

Christmas @ Measham this year is again promoting the Tower of Light. nationality or religion, the chance to remember a loved one at this

special time, by sponsoring a light bulb on St Laurence Church tower at Measham.

The loved one may be deceased, someone who has moved away or

emigrated, in hospital, in the Armed Forces, or someone who is working

Programme 2017-18 2017 Nov 1st Nov 15th Dec 6th

The idea of this is to give anyone and everyone, no matter what

away from home. The bulb can be sponsored by a donation (suggested

£5), and that bulb, when lit, represents that person’s thoughts. There will Colin Hobday Brian Johnson Bill Pemberton

2018 Jan 10th Barry Bryan Jan 24th Val Williams Feb 7th Colin Hobday Feb 28th Peter Amour Mar 14th Stewart Howe

The Danube The Country Railway Kamchatko, Russia - Scenery & Wildlife

be a display of the lights on the church tower, which will be visible from all around the village.

Names of the sponsors and their loved ones to be remembered will be

displayed in the Church. (Please put a note on the application form if you Everest - The Long Walk In The Galapagos Islands Venice and Croatia Derbyshire - Its Character and Characters Adventures on the West Coast of Scotland & Ireland by Motorbike

Ashby Rotary Clubs Sponsor Local Youngsters Ashby’s three Rotary Clubs have once again worked together by sponsoring two successful candidates for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). This years lucky candidates are Sophie Leedham and Andrew Nicholson.

Rotary Past District Governor Ken Billington explained on RYLA visitor’s day, that Rotary have been running RYLA for thirty three years and have successfully changed the lives and boosted the chosen career paths for many candidates. RYLA is a well-established weeklong residential leadership course at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. The successful candidates gain exposure to issues and exchange ideas with one another. It helps them to personally develop, explore new career paths and gives advice on already chosen careers.

The course helps the candidates to develop their leadership skills, increase their self confidence, gain exposure to a variety of issues and different people and to improve their career skills and knowledge. RYLA is an intensive week-long training program for the young citizens chosen from the Ashby area and by no means a holiday. The course includes outdoor pursuits and is designed so that whilst learning the students have lots of fun.

This year 34 candidates from all across our Rotary District were chosen, this included eight candidates put forward and sponsored by the Waitrose Supermarket chain through their local town’s Rotary clubs.

Waitrose recognised that to give training to this high standard would normally cost them upwards of two thousand pounds and were very pleased to support their candidates at RYLA. Andrew and Sophie, this years Ashby candidates said of their experiences, “I admit that before the course I was sceptical when people told me it would be life changing, but I can tell you now how very wrong I was. It has definitely changed how I look at people and the world. I have learnt and experienced many new things, a lot of which I hadn’t expected and all of which I will remember” said Andrew. Sophie added “I Can’t begin to thank you enough for letting me take part in such a magical experience! I know you wanted one word to sum up it up but I can’t keep it to just one. It has been outstanding, motivating and definitely life changing. I’m so so happy that I got the chance to go”.

So if you know of someone between the ages of 18 and 26 who would like the opportunity to have this experience, or if you would like to know more for next year’s RYLA course or an employer who would like to know how to help sponsor one of their employees then please contact Rotarian Ray Spare on 01530 414806. Interviews will take place for next year’s candidates early in 2018.

do not wish to have a name displayed). The lights will be switched on as a separate part of the Christmas @ Measham ceremony which is taking place on Thursday 7th December 2017 starting at 6.00pm.

This year, the charity to benefit will be Measham United Charities

which helps to provide relief of hardship in the Parish of Measham.

Trustees wish to build up Capital to help more people within the village.

(Registered Charity No. 243199)

The monies raised by the Tower of Light over recent years have

benefitted the Measham Medical Unit, the First Responders, Measham

Welfare Junior Football Club and last year the purchase of a number of defibrillators, which allow anyone who has an immediate need of this

easily usable and potentially life-saving equipment, to have access to it.

Further sponsorship forms will be available from the Parish Office, which is located in the Measham Leisure Centre, off High Street, Measham.

DE12 7HR or can be sent to you. Contact Dawn on 01530 589583 or email dawn@meashamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Please make donation cheques out to Measham United Charities, and return, with completed application forms to the Parish Office.

Ashby De La Zouch And District Branch Royal British Legion

November 10th Concert for the Poppy Appeal at Holy Trinity Church .

Presented by The Ashby Concert Band with the Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders. Concert starts at 7.30pm Doors Open at 7.00pm.

Tickets £9.00 in advance from Ashby Tourist Office. (£10.00 at the door on the night).

November 11th 10.55am Traditional Armistice Ceremony and Service at the War Memorial in Market Street, Ashby.

November 12th National Remembrance Sunday. Parade forming up 0830 at Ivanhoe college North St., Ashby. Marching to St Helen's Church for 9.30am Service. Parade will reform at 10.30 to arrive at the War Memorial at 10.45 for a service and wreath laying.

November 12th Also a Remembrance Service 9.30am at St. Laurence's Church, Measham, followed by a service and ceremony at the War Memorial in Bosworth Road at 10.45am.

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County Councillor

Member Of Parliament

M: 07429055402 E: Sean.Sheahan@leics.gov.uk

M: 01530 417736 E: andrew.bridgen.mp@parliament.uk

Sean Sheahan

County Council recognizes the impact of HS2 on Measham In a report to Cabinet this month, Leicestershire County Council stated that HS2… “significantly impacts on the Ashby Canal restoration to the east of Measham. This would make the restoration of the route into Measham unviable, as it has a significant and detrimental impact on the Wharf Development to the extent it sterilises the development site.

This will have a knock on effect of discouraging future potential investors in this redevelopment area. Officers are currently working with HS2 Ltd to seek a resolution to this matter, which may involve a compensation claim.” This is a significant statement by the County Council, and follows on from the meeting in Measham that I wrote about in last month’s column.

I submitted the following comments in response to the Cabinet report: “HS2 has already inflicted considerable economic blight on Measham. As well as the more tangible impacts on the Ashby Canal Wharfside Development and the Leisure Centre extension, the Government’s protracted decision-making process on the route has eroded confidence in the broader regeneration of Measham, focussed primarily on the Ashby Canal restoration, upon which depends the future prosperity of the village. I welcome the commitment from officers to attempt to resolve the matter with HS2 Ltd and would support ongoing close liaison with local stakeholders, NWLDC and Measham Parish Council, to work up a bid for community level compensation and/or mitigation, which takes full account of the negative economic impact of HS2 upon Measham.”

The same report covered the Government’s decision to curtail Midland Main Line electrification, which, as I also wrote about last month, has prompted the District Council to review its position on HS2. Although the County Council has moved to do likewise, it is delaying that review until 2019, when the Hybrid Bill on Phase 2b reaches Parliament. In my opinion, this is too long to wait, and made the following additional comments to the Cabinet meeting, “…in light of changed circumstances, it is only right that this Council reviews its position on HS2. I would urge the Cabinet to

Andrew Bridgen do so without delay and to work with local MPs and appropriate Parliamentary bodies, eg. the Transport Select Committee, to call for a critical re-appraisal of the business case for the Leeds leg of HS2 and a closer examination of the strategic alternatives.”

Unfortunately, the Council Cabinet members didn’t take up my suggestion. I’m pretty sure they know I’m against HS2, and whilst the County Council takes a different view, you would think that after the abrupt cancellation of Midland Main Line electrification, the Cabinet might be rather more sceptical of the Government’s bigger and more expensive plans for rail.

Nevertheless, the County Council have recognised that Measham will be hit hard by HS2 and have committed to working with local representatives to make a case for mitigation and/or compensation.

Road safety update New speed bumps have gone in on New Street, Measham, as part of a planning agreement.

Also, the 30mph signs have been moved closer to the bridge over the A42. On Atherstone Road, David Wilson Homes have written to the District Council advising they are on target to install three sets of speed bumps in November. The rumble strips at Five Lanes End junction are now complete, although in response to a local resident’s concerns, I’ve asked Highways officers to check they are in the best position in relation to the bend. On Burton Road, the average speed camera trial has been held back until the new year, due to problems procuring the cameras.

St. Charles pre-school Measham’s St. Charles pre-school opened its doors last month to let the public view its new building, which was originally a portacabin donated by Minorca Surface Mine operators, UKCSMR, along with a grant from the community fund. Now refurbished and decorated, the building is almost unrecognizable from the training facility it once was. It really is a tribute to the efforts of staff and volunteers who have produced a top-class community facility, which will serve St. Charles’ preschoolers for many years to come.

It was my pleasure to welcome Iain Duncan Smith to the constituency last month to address the annual dinner for the North West Leicestershire Conservative Association. As many of you will know, Iain is a former leader of the Conservative Party and served as Works and Pensions Secretary for 6 years.

Iain Duncan Smith is a politician I have admired for many years, in main due to his commitment to social justice. It was this passion that led him to set up the Centre for Social Justice to look at the root causes of poverty and addressing them with practical solutions. The welfare reform agenda he instigated is already having an impact. Since the Conservative Party came to office in May 2010, unemployment has fallen by one million, 600,000 more disabled people are now in work and 590,000 fewer children are in workless families compared with 2010. In our own district, unemployment has fallen from 1513 in June 2010 to 485 today and youth unemployment has fallen from 475 to 120 over the same period. The best route out of poverty is through work and only a strong economy creating jobs can provide this.

In sharp contrast, the Labour Party have this week been announcing policies which would take this Country backwards. They even accept the damage they would do to the UK economy in planning for a run on the pound should they get into power and in confiscating assets at a price dictated by Parliament. It is becoming increasingly clear that Labour are looking to Venezuela as their economic model for the U.K. Should they get into power.

Venezuela is a country which under their socialist regime has massive unemployment, food shortages and starvation, 1000% inflation due to the Government printing money, corruption, a health care implosion, murder, democratic repression and human rights abuses. Now some 85% of Venezuelans live in poverty despite the country having the largest oil reserves in the world.

The prospect of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell running the

British economy with their Marxist ideals is absolutely frightening as history shows that no country has an economy too strong to be destroyed by socialism.

The Prime Minister made a speech in Florence last month to update the UK position on Brexit. In this negotiation it is the UK who are trying to get things moving and be creative in the terms of our departure. What remains clear is that we must stick to our departure date on the 29th March 2019.The Prime Minister has raised the prospect of a transitional period but that is exactly what it is and must have a clear end date. If the EU are not prepared to engage with the UK when we are bringing forward generous proposals, then one has to wonder if they are interested in doing a deal at all, in spite of it being in the best interests of all our nations. What is clear is that it is their intransigence that is the problem and the UK has been proactive through numerous policy papers in defining what our position is. It seems unfortunate that the EU only appear interested in how much money they can extract from the British taxpayer.

Britain does remain open for business however and last month I attended an event at the new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange which is currently being developed north of Castle Donington along with the Rail Minister Paul Maynard The Segro East Midlands Gateway as it will be known is a large-scale logistics park which will house up to 6 million square feet of warehouse premises covering around 700 acres. It will have its own rail terminal for the exclusive use of freight traffic with the aim of supporting and encouraging the increased movement of freight by rail in the whole East Midlands.

The plans bring significant road improvements to the M1, A50 and a bypass for the village of Kegworth. Together with the 7000+ jobs that will be created, this is a major development for North West Leicestershire and underpins our current and future economic growth which is one of the highest in the Country.

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