March 2015 - Ashby & Packington Community Eye

ASHBY & PACKINGTON

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COMMUNITY EYE

FREE MONTHLY LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, PUZZLES, COMPETITIONS & MORE

IN THE GARDEN WITH BEL

ISSUE 4 - MARCH 2015

EASY BREAD Make The Perfect Homemade Loaf

Growing Colourful Alpines

RELIEF IN SICKNESS FUND Do You Know Someone Who Needs Help?

ENGINEERS WIN FIRST PLACE Plus Ashby School Is ‘Good’ Says OFSTED

ARE YOU A KNITTER OR DO YOU KNOW ONE?

Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland Is Calling For All Knitters To Join The Big Knit

THE BIG PLANT SALE

Friends Of Ashby Bath Grounds Plant Sale at Ivanhoe 23rd May

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WELCOME TO YOUR MARCH COMMUNITY EYE MAGAZINE It’s been great to see some blue skies and the sun finally showing its face, although the temperature has been low, it’s left me with a spring like feeling!

I hope you enjoy reading our magazine and have fun entering our competitions. Bel again has some great gardening tips and you can have a go at baking your own bread by following our recipe.

FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY:

Phil McIver © ____________________________________

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Please do keep sending your articles and photographs in, we are always looking for front cover images and you can send them to communityeye@openboxpromotions.co.uk If you are interested in advertising please do call Dawn who will be happy to talk you through your best options.

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PHOTO: (left to right) Dan Smith, Jake Haley, Jake Duthie, Alex Shaw and Harry Barnes with their winning vehicle.

ENGINEERS WIN FIRST PLACE Five students from Ashby School have been awarded first place in the professional category of the 4 x 4 Jaguar Land Rover regional schools’ competition.

The boys – Jake Haley, Alex Shaw and Harry Barnes, all 16, and 17-year-olds Dan Smith and Jake Duthie – saw off the challenge from 22 other teams and will now compete in the national final in March.

Last year, the same team came away with the title of ‘Best Rookie Team’ in the junior category.

This year, the boys were competing at a much higher level, which involved the complex task of changing from two wheel to four wheel steering.

Entrants were asked to navigate their vehicle around a course and perform a trailer tow, before facing a panel of industry judges to explain the engineering processes and techniques they had used. The students also produced their own pit display.

Head of Engineering Dave Birchall said “I am very proud of them all.

The students performed absolutely brilliantly on the day and were an absolute credit to the school and the engineering department.

The work they put in and the level of commitment they showed, in the run-up to the competition, was far beyond what I would expect from students of their age. It was a real testament to their determination to do well. The judges were really, really impressed with their engineering skills.”

Before the national final, the students will receive feedback from the judges and will be expected to modify their vehicle in response to this.

Mr Birchall added “They have already got some really big ideas of what they are going to do to raise their game even higher for the national final.”

A second team of Ashby School students from Year 10 took part in the junior category but did not pick up an award, in spite of a strong performance. They were Tommy Smith, Ben Jenkins, Nathan Taylor and Jordan Evans.

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is calling for all knitters to join in The Big Knit this year to raise much-needed funds to help keep local older people warm and healthy this coming winter.

Last year we received an incredible 47,000 little hats and need your help to match this challenging total which will assist our winter warmth campaign 2015. Innocent drinks will donate 25p for each little hat which will adorn the smoothie bottles sold in supermarkets early in 2016.

Knitters can get the simple knitting patterns online at www. ageuk.org.uk/leics or by calling the Business Development Manager on 0116 2237344.

Please arrange for your knitted hats to be at Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland (Ref: BDM), Lansdowne House, 113 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7LA by the end of September.

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LOCAL NEWS

ASHBY SCHOOL IS GOOD, SAYS OFSTED Ashby School is a ‘good school’ across the board, according to Ofsted inspectors. Its boarding facility has been rated outstanding.

The school, which was inspected in February 2015, was found to be good in all five inspection categories: leadership and management, the behaviour and safety of pupils, the quality of teaching, student achievement and sixth form.

Inspectors concluded that ‘good teaching ensures that students made good progress across a range of GCSE subjects, particularly mathematics and science.’ They found that teachers were ‘effective in making students enthusiastic about their learning’ and that senior leaders ‘check students’ progress regularly and have a good understanding of how well different groups of students are achieving’.

They observed that students ‘enjoy being at the academy and feel safe. Parents agree.’

Inspectors also praised ‘the wide range of extra sporting, musical and artistic trips and activities’ and said that ‘students are proud of the academy’, resulting in very little litter or graffiti.

Inspectors also applauded the ‘strong anti-bullying culture throughout the academy’ and the fact that ‘bullying is rare’.

The school’s boarding facility, School House, was judged to be outstanding in terms of outcomes for boarders, quality of provision and care, boarders’ safety and leadership and management.

Boarders were found to make ‘outstanding personal progress’.

Inspectors said boarders ‘are happy and speak warmly of the consistently good care, guidance and support they receive, aided by strong links with the main academy’. School House was judged to have ‘a very positive and relaxed ethos’. The induction of new boarders was described as ‘a key strength’.

Headteacher Eddie Green said “The report makes excellent reading and reflects many of the very positive aspects of our work.

We are always striving to make improvements to what inspectors found is already a very good learning experience with excellent outcomes for our students.”

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY WITH ESNA AND HAIRSPRAY The sweet sound of a musical gem is at Loughborough Town Hall this spring as the awardwinning ESNA Players present Hairspray.

The Ashby de la Zouch Relief in Sickness Fund is a local charity helping people in Ashby and Blackfordby who may be struggling as a result of sickness, disability or infirmity.

This award-laden musical was a massive hit on Broadway and the West End and ESNA are proud to be the first group to present the show in Loughborough.

A winner of eight Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards, Hairspray is set in the 1960s and tells the story of plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream to dance on local TV dance programme, The Corny Collins Show.

When she wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, and meets a colourful array of characters. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show.

Hairspray has a sweet coating to a sharper inner core that deals with social injustice, racial issues and social prejudices and society's treatment of minority groups at the time.

What Hairspray is so popular for is its magical score full of 1960s-style rhythm and blues and dance with songs like Good Morning Baltimore, The Nicest Kids in Town, Welcome To the 60s, Big, Blonde and Beautiful, Without Love and You Can't Stop The Beat.

ESNA's production stars Emily Canham as Tracy with Liam Patrick as Link, Larkin Chris Wilson as Corney Collins, Robert. BramleyBuhler as Edna Turnblad, Neil

SAD DEATH OF IBSTOCK AND HEATHER COUNCILLOR DAVE DE LACY North West Leicestershire Labour Party is sad to announce the death of Ibstock and Heather Labour Councillor Dave De Lacy.

Dave has been a Councillor since the 2012 Ibstock and Heather by election and also served as Shadow Corporate Portfolio Holder on the District Council.

Dave passed away suddenly but peacefully this week.

Ledward as Wilbur Turnblad, Rowan Beaumont as Penny Pingleton, Nicole Ray as Amber von Tussle, Nicola Scoggins as Velma von Tussle and Monique Henry as Motormouth Mabel.

ESNA present Hairspray at Loughborough Town Hall from April 14-18 at 7.30pm each night, plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets priced £14 for Tuesday evening and the Saturday matinee and £15 for all other performances, are available from the Town Hall Box Office on 01509 231914 or box.office@charnwood.gov.uk or through the website at www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk Find out more about ESNA by visiting their website at www.esna.co going to their Facebook page or following them on Twitter at @ESNAPlayers The ESNA players - award winning amateur musical theatre group in Loughborough, Leicestershire. esna.co Councillor Tom Neilson, Leader of the Labour Group, said "I am shocked and saddened by the news. I have lost a good friend and mentor. Dave was a great family man and a true fighter for what he thought was right. Dave will be missed hugely by everyone" Jamie McMahon, Labour Parliamentary candidate, said "Dave's sudden passing leaves a massive hole in the Labour Party and the District Council. He was a tireless local Councillor who devoted his life to both his family and those causes he believed in."

Janet Ruff, fellow Ibstock and Heather Councillor, said "No one went above and beyond the call of duty to help people more than Dave. People say politicians are all the same but Dave's commitment to helping local people in need was enough to restore anyone's faith."

Before the NHS came into being in 1948, the local cottage hospital was largely supported by local volunteer fundraisers. When accommodation was required for the local District Nurses, a piece of land on Leicester Road, Ashby was generously donated by the hospital trustees.

After further fundraising, enough money was raised to build a house on the land, which remained the Nurses residence until the seventies, when it was sold.

Since all the money used to build the house had been raised by volunteers and donated by the local community, it was decided to use the proceeds of the sale to start a local health-based charity.

Grants from the Fund are not means-tested, and each application is taken entirely on its merit. Recent donations include a payment to assist with a respite care break, help with the cost of petrol to enable a man to visit his wife in hospital and a donation towards an electric powered chair to help someone with a severe stroke to move from sitting to standing.

Our income is about £1,000 annually, so we can make five or six donations of between £100 and £200 each year.

If you know of anyone in Ashby or Blackfordby whom the trustees might be able to help, please contact the Clerk of the fund, Leanne Cooper, on 01530 414111 or e-mail leannecooper@ craneandwalton.co.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

EASY BREAD INGREDIENTS

• 500g / 1lb 2oz Strong white bread flour • 1¼ teaspoon salt • 1½ teaspoon bread yeast • 2 teaspoon sugar • 300ml / 10fl oz water NOTE: A bread tin is good but the dough can simply be placed on a baking tray.

COOKING METHOD

Preheat the oven to 230°C / 450°F. Put the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a largish bowl and mix all the ingredients together well.

Slowly add the water to the mixture and blend it in.

When all the water is added, continue mixing with your hands for 5 minutes more. Place the dough on a floured surface.

Knead the dough for 10 more minutes until it becomes stretchy and elastic (To knead dough, place it on a floured surface, flatten it out. Fold it in

half towards you then flatten it again with the palms of your hand. Repeat) Separate some of the dough and make three 10cm (4in) rolls from the dough. Fit the rest of the dough into the oiled bread tin or on an oiled baking tray.

Plait the three rolls of dough and pinch the end of the plait together to hold them.

Cover the dough with a wet tea towel (to stop the surface drying) and place it somewhere at room temperature away from draughts. Two hours later the dough will have doubled in size and be ready for baking.

Put the dough in middle of the oven for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven when the top is a light golden brown.

FRIENDS OF ASHBY BATH GROUNDS THE BIG PLANT SALE 23rd MAY 2015 HOW YOU CAN HELP

• You can donate Perennials, including grasses, Herbs, Vegetable plants, House plants (no annuals please) • Collect plants from your garden. Ask your neighbours, relatives or friends to donate plants. We can never have enough plants for the sale!

The Friends of Ashby Bath Grounds will be having a Plant Sale at the Ivanhoe as part of the Ashby Arts Festival week. We will be raising money for the Hospice Hope Charity.

GET INVOLVED!

Our plant sale will rely on the kind donations of members, local groups and friends to make this a successful event and raise monies for Hospice Hope.

All you green fingered gardeners out there, now is the time to start thinking about sowing a few perennial seeds, taking cuttings to grow on, or dividing perennials to make lots of new plants ready for the sale in May.

• If you are still not sure how to divide and pot up, please contact our Plant Sale coordinator Clare Birch on our email address and we will send a volunteer out to show you how.

• If you have lots of beautiful plants in your garden but are unable to dig them up. We have a group of volunteers to come and help you. Please contact us to set up a date as soon as possible.

• Please save plastic trays, boxes, and plastic bags. Bring them to the plant sale.

• Sign up as a volunteer to help out on the stall on Saturday 23rd May up at the Ivanhoe school and/ or for preparation activities in the week leading up to the Plant Sale

Our current, temporary exhibition pays tribute to the importance of Ashby Cottage Hospital to the town for over 100 years.

Photographs, newspaper articles, posters and booklets all show the value, dedication and hard work by the staff over that period. Those with stronger stomachs might like to view the instruments that were used to sustain and improve our health and comfort. There are even some shapely bedpans!

We have retained several display cases on the Great War. The Museum hosted members of the John Betjeman Society who were given a walk and a talk about Ashby’s brief history as a Spa Town. Betjeman was one of those who tried to save the Ivanhoe Baths in the early 1960s – alas to no avail. The Museum staff are working closely with the Friends of the Bath Grounds and St. Helen’s Church to help make their respective Heritage Lottery Fund applications successful. We wish them both well.

We are delighted that several new volunteers have joined us – both to help on front-of-house and archiving.

Last year we regularly loaned out our collection of Reminiscence Boxes and were given some very positive feedback from the • Please give out or put up the posters (to follow in next few weeks) to your neighbourhood, at work, at church, at the gym, local groups etc.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLANT DONORS Digging and Potting Plants • Dig the plants and pot the plants at least 2 weeks before the plant sale.

• Put the plants (including houseplants) in an appropriate size pot, so that the roots aren’t sticking out of the pot.

• Divide large clumps of plants if possible, to fit into pots.

• Water the potted plants generously and regularly to stay fresh.

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organisations who borrowed one.

These themed boxes contain objects to handle and pictures and photos to look at, bringing back long-hidden memories and stimulating interest and conversation among people in care homes, or in their own homes. Contact the Museum if you would like to borrow one.

The Romans are coming! In April, the kids’ Club at Ashby Museum will be looking at the Romans.

Come and make a centurion’s helmet or sacred altar. Discover your Roman name and much more. The club is on Saturday 4th April from 11am till 4pm. Open to all children of primary school age.

Children must be accompanied by a adult.

FRIENDS OF ASHBY MUSEUM The Friends of Ashby would like to thank all those who supported the recent Folk Entertainment evening held at Packington Memorial Hall. It was a great evening, enjoyed by all. As a result £850 was raised to support the work of the museum.

Please look at the museum website or follow the museum on Facebook or Twitter for details of forthcoming events.

LABELLING PLANTS

Label each potted plant, using a wood or plastic stick and a permanent marker, as follows: • One side: Plant Name, Colour, Height Other side: Full Sun/Shade/Part Shade & flowering season (when applicable).

• Plant drop offs: location and time to drop off plants will be circulated before the Plant Sale and in the monthly newsletter • Further information on where to drop plants off w/c 18 May 2015 will be circulated.

• Posters for the Plant Sale again will be circulated over the next few weeks If you need any advice please contact Clare Birch bathgroundsfriends@gmail tel: 07958 232291

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LOCAL NEWS

SWANNINGTON OCCUPATIONS EXHIBITION WHO MADE PARTS FOR CONCORDE AND THE QUEEN MARY? If you only associate Swannington with coal mines and the first steam railway in the English Midlands, you might be in for a bit of a surprise when you find out the answers to: Why did railway passengers who bought a ticket to Leicester have to walk the best part of a mile to catch the train?

Was a coal miner really sentenced to a month in jail for running nearly naked through Swannington?

How did farmers manage to grow food during the Second World War when they lacked electricity and piped water?

How many servants did the vicar have?

How did a female tennis player shock lady Beaumont?

Swannington Heritage Trust’s annual exhibition theme for 2015 is Swannington Occupations it will be at Swannington School from 10.303.30pm on Saturday 21st March.

As well as historical maps, heritage watercolours and a plethora of historical information, the Trust uses imaginative ideas to make heritage fun for all the family. So come and: See the costumed occupation teddy bears, such as the dressmaker Alice Brewin who was born in 1888.

They have been made by Trust supporters and members of the Whitwick and District U3A Needles and Pins group.

Admire the occupation dolls (made out of wooden spoons by the pupils of Swannington school), such as the Schoolgirl.

Walk through the village reviewing the occupation posters giving details of the historical occupations of the inhabitants (on display Sunday 15th to Saturday 28th March).

Examine the occupation pictures (from nurses to hairdressers to miners) drawn by the schoolchildren.

Help rebuild the engine house of the 1854 Califat coal mine out of 21kg of Lego.

Try some exercises on the Trim Trail that is being launched by the school, so that you feel less guilty when sat down for a cup of tea and a cake.

More details will be available on the Trust website www.swannington-heritage.co.uk and the Trust’s Hough Mill Facebook page and Twitter feed or by emailing chairman@ swannington-heritage.co.uk

ASHBY CIVIC SOCIETY Sewerage and sanitation. An unusual topic but Ashby Civic Society were enthralled by a talk from Sharpe’s pottery curator Tony Hurrell, together with a fascinating tour of the museum.

Tony explained how Sharpe’s production of sewerage pipes and sanitary ware improved public health from early Victorian times.

Despite dreadful pollution and housing conditions suffered by the workers, the factory prospered and items are still found in all corners of the world. Another truly amazing afternoon organised by Ashby Civic Society.

If you would like to join us at the next monthly event please contact John White 01530

LRWT NORTH WEST GROUP APRIL 17TH ROGER BISGROVE OF SWANNINGTON HERITAGE TRUST

Describes the fascinating mosaic of the newly restored windmill at the Gorse Field nature reserve, the Califat archaeology ‘dig’ and the new Incline.

MAY 21ST MARTIN VAUGHAN LEADS US AROUND OAKTHORPE AND HICKS LODGE Area to see some of the spots that fired his imagination and enthusiasm for wildlife photography. Meet 7:00pm at entrance to former Oakthorpe pit, Ashby Road, Donisthorpe.

GR 328143

JUNE 7TH WHY NOT VISIT CLOUD WOOD - BOTANICALLY THE MOST DIVERSE RESERVE IN THE EAST MIDLANDS Enjoy bird song, meet 10:30 in the lay-by. GR 419215

See the horse ginn, smock mill and gorse field reserve. Meet 7:00pm at entrance to reserve on St Georges Hill, Swannington, LE67 8JW. GR 172413

JULY 3RD ASHBY CANAL WALK

Meet 7:00 outside The Globe, Snarestone to view the Ashby Canal SSSI and associated new nature reserve.

JULY 19TH VISIT CLOUD WOOD BOTANICALLY THE MOST DIVERSE RESERVE IN THE EAST MIDLANDS

Search for butterflies. Meet at 10:30 in the lay-by. GR419215

GET IN TOUCH We are a friendly group which meets monthly for talks, visits, conservation work and social events.

David Maltby on 01530 222934 Margaret Mabey on 01530 412410

THE ROTARY CLUB OF ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH CASTLE

ROTARY CLUB HOSTS CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT The Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch Castle are looking for quiz addicts to take part in a charity quiz night that they will be hosting in the town on Saturday 25th April at Hood Park Leisure Centre.

The Rotary Club are hosting the evening to raise funds for an important local charity, the Measham Mobility Bus. The Mobility Bus provides a vital transport link in the local communities for groups in need of such a service through age, disability, sickness or poverty.

412355 or see our website ashbydelazouchcivicsociety.webs. com for full programme details.

Come as a visitor to our very friendly group and you’ll be sure to meet someone you already know.

JUNE 19TH VISIT SWANNINGTON GORSE FIELD RESERVE AND DIG

They are currently in a campaign to raise funds to buy a brand new bus to enable them to continue the important work that their volunteers do in Measham and the surrounding communities. Ian Stubbs from Ashby Castle Rotary

Club said “Once we’d heard that the Mobility Bus was coming towards the end of it’s useful life we started looking for a way to help out. A quiz night seemed a good way to provide a fun evening whilst raising some much needed funds for the campaign. This is a vitally useful service for people in our local communities and we hope with the support of local people we can help.”

The evening is due to start at 7pm and promises fun for all. Teams of 4 are required and entry is £10 per person including a hot supper with prizes supplied for the winning team! Booking in advance is required by contacting Ian Stubbs on 01283 212650.

Interested in finding out more about Rotary?

If you would like to come along to the Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch Castle please contact our secretary Chris Knight at cjcjknight@supanet.com or visit www.ribi.org.

LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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Managing Director Martyn Kemp feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double

glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee.

But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps.

Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up

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Cloudy2Clear service Ashby and the surrounding area and Martyn is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction

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POPULAR DENTIST RETURNS

She said “I really like the people in this area of all the places I have worked and this really influenced me to start my own practice in the village”.

A Newor f Dentist ole the why... famil

A former patient of Sandra, Sue Richardson from Ashby, said that although she has previously been anxious about visiting the dentist, she is reassured by the care Sandra offers.

She added “I am always reassured by Dr Ferreira’s concern that I should be fully informed about my treatment and her care to minimise my discomfort”.

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Miss Abbey Lish, 20, was the first person to book an appointment with dentist Sandra Ferreira who has just opened Measham Dental, the first time Measham has had a dentist in over 30 years.

Abbey from Measham said “Everything went really well and the Intra-oral camera was really interesting”.

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GARDENING

GROWING COLOURFUL ALPINES

T

he daylight hours are lengthening and the weather is improving, so when the sun shines I’m nipping out to the garden with every chance I get!

I’m busy creating new flower beds and getting the veg plot ready for spring. If you’d like to try your hand at growing your own produce this year see below for details of my ‘Grow along with Bel’ project.

Viola ‘Columbine’

‘Newcroft Gardening Club’

One of the first splashes of colour to brighten up the garden centres and nurseries in spring is from Alpine plants. They are irresistible after the winter months and I always buy a dozen or so each year. Alpine plants don’t need to be confined to a rockery though; they are lovely in pots, troughs, baskets and borders too.

Alpine plants originate from regions with good drainage and usually cold, dry winters, with high light levels. In order to grow them successfully in our gardens we need to emulate the conditions they thrive in naturally. Alpines will need a sunny spot and a free draining compost is essential to stop root and base rot during our wet winters. I make up a mix for pots of around one part John Innes no.2, one part horticultural grit & one part multi-purpose compost but some garden centres sell ready mixed alpine compost.

Anywhere that’s sunny, freedraining and not smothered by other plants will suit Alpines, but

‘Grow along with Bel’

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I like to grow them in pots so I can appreciate their diminutive stature. I can move the pot near to the house or onto the patio whilst they are in flower and then pop them out of the way in the Autumn-Winter. Shallow dish-like pots are best as they drain well and alpines only need a short rooting space.

My favourite Alpines Try a selection of these mixed together in a pot or plant them in a gravel garden or rockery: Aubretia – blue/pink/purple flowers in spring; Viola ‘Columbine’ – dappled blue/white petals; Lithodora – Striking azureblue flowers; Saxifraga – tight cushions topped with white/red/ pink blooms in spring; Armeria – aka Thrift with grassy cushions topped with pompoms throughout spring/summer; Sempervivum – aka House Leek green-bronze spiky rosettes; Campanula carpatica or similar with blue/purple/white bell flowers; Aquilegia alpina – small form with nodding blooms; Dianthus aka dwarf Pinks – highly scented repeat flowerers; Erodium – carpeting plant with white/pink blooms; Phlox subulata – carpets of blooms in early summer in pink/ white/blue/purple; Pulsitilla – furry foliage and feathered blooms in late spring.

surface, a water and then they will provide you with a lovely colourful display during Spring-Summer.

Newcroft Gardening Club I’ve had the pleasure of helping out with the Newcroft school Gardening Club recently, led by teacher Emily Gould, the group of budding student gardeners have been having fun learning how to cultivate soil, sow seeds and grow produce for use in the schools kitchen. It’s been lovely to help such a well behaved polite group of children and I hope they go on to grow their own produce at home too.

‘Grow along with Bel’ Ever wanted to have a go at growing your own veggies, fruit and flowers, but not sure where to start? Well over the next 6 months I’ll be posting advice on what & when to sow, grow and harvest & how to keep the weeds and pests at bay on my Facebook page.

Like my page to keep up to date & get involved with ‘Grow along with Bel’ www.facebook.com/ belgriersondesign It’s been a busy start to the year and summer will soon be here so next month I’ll be looking at some of my favourite plant combinations for colourful patio pots.

Once planted give them a top dressing of horticultural grit on the

Bel Grierson

Garden Designer & Plantswoman

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10

LOCAL NEWS

COUNCILLOR

ANDREW BRIDGEN MP SUPPORTS ASHBY AND COALVILLE SCOUTS AT JAMBOREE BAG PACK

MICHAEL WYATT

M: 07773 341531 E: mikewyatt1@hotmail.co.uk

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PPC ARGENT WELCOMES POLICE COMMITMENT TO STAY IN COALVILLE Changes to Coalville Police Station and front enquiry service Front Counter Service moving to North West Leicestershire District Council. The police in Coalville are in talks with North West Leicestershire District Council to run a shared front enquiry counter service in the council offices.

Mark Argent Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for North West Leics said, “I welcome the decision by the Police to continue to provide a such needed local service in Coalville. Many local residents I have spoken to were very concerned that the Police station was going to close and leave Coalville all together. Also It’s good news that a new and improved front desk service will be available at the District Council Offices on Whitwick Road. Having a number of local facilities all under one roof at the Council offices is a good use of the Council building.”

As well as police services, such as reporting incidents, crimes and lost or found property, members of the public will be able to access a range of council services such as council tax, planning and housing enquiries. A joint police and council service is already running successfully at Loughborough and Oakham. There will be no changes to the availability of council services at Whitwick Road as a result of the police re-location but a joint council and police reception service will be available later this year from Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.00 pm.

Coalville Police Station, on Ashby Road, will be closed to the public but staff will continue to be based there.

There is a private room in the council reception if people want to talk in confidence and a phone will be in- stalled on the outside of the council offices so that people can talk to a call handler when the offices are closed.

Leicestershire Police is the latest partner organisation to locate within the North West Leicestershire District Council Offices on Whitwick Road. The registrar service has operated from Stenson House for a number of years and 2014 saw the Citizens Advice Bureau move into the building. The addition of Leicestershire Police now gives customers a ‘one stop shop’ for many services. New Police Station a separate move, Leicestershire Police has submitted planning permission to build a new, smaller police station in Coalville at the back of the current police building on Ashby Road. The building in Coalville is too big for modern policing requirements, is expensive to run and costly to repair.

MARK ARGENT MEETS TRANSPORT MINISTER TO PUT CASE FOR BARDON BY-PASS & HUGGLESCOTE COMMUNITY CENTRE.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for North West Leicestershire, Mark Argent, recently discussed the Bardon bypass and Hugglescote community centre with Baroness Susan Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, at the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Liverpool.

The current sticking point for the Bardon bypass is that it will cross the railway line, for which Network Rail are entitled to charge a license fee, likely to be in the

region of several million. In the meeting, Mark Argent put the case for central government to waive this, which would make the bypass much more financially viable.

Andrew Bridgen MP visited Morrisons in Coalville to support the Ashby and Coalville Scouts and their fundraising Jamboree bag pack.

The 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan will take place in August 2015 and the Ashby and Coalville Scouts were selected to attend the Jamboree after attending a weekend camp held in October 2013. The Jamboree is such an exciting opportunity for the local Scouts aged 14-17 which will include: 3 days in Tokyo and 2-3 days "home hospitality" with a Japanese family. The Scouts will learn about other cultures, take part in fun and adventurous activities, attendees will also be involved in community projects and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial - 70 years after the bomb.

The planned bypass will run from the Birch Tree roundabout on the A511 to the end of Stephenson way, alleviating heavy traffic now, which will get worse when the Bardon Grange development of around 3000 homes is complete.

Mark Argent said, “Local people in Bardon and the surrounding area have made it clear to me and Cllr Wyatt who for many years has campaigned for the Bardon By-Pass that the by-pass is desperately needed to help address the traffic problems faced by many residents in the local area. People are already avoiding this stretch of road by going through Hugglescote and along Grange Rd, which is putting pressure on the Hugglescote crossroads.

At present the Leicestershire County Council are in consultation about altering that junction to improve traffic flow, and options include the full or partial demolition of the Hugglescote Community Centre which stands at that crossroads. Even if the centre is saved now, its future can’t be guaranteed if traffic levels rise. In a town already in

Originally there are 30,000 projected attendees, of which 3000 are from the UK, 45 from Leicestershire, 11 from Ashby & Coalville Scout District (the attendees at the bag pack), 4 from Ashby.

Andrew Bridgen MP said “It was great to take part in the bag pack and support local scouts in their fundraising efforts. I understand that each individual fundraising target is for £3500 which covers all costs for training camps and the trip. It is an experience of a lifetime and I wish the Scouts the very best in their fundraising, they are an enthusiastic bunch and I know that they will thrive in this opportunity.”

For more information or to donate Visit their Facebook & Twitter pages. www.facebook.com/ashbywsj2015 www.twitter.com/AshbyWSJ2015 need of regeneration, the loss of a community centre would be a serious step backwards, that’s why I decided to put forward a case to the Transport Minister so we can overcome the sticking point of Network rail charging a fee which is clearly making it economically and financially very costly.”

The case Mark Argent put to Susan Kramer is that building the bypass both helps with present and future congestion on the A511, and protects the Hugglescote Community Centre by reducing the traffic on that stretch of road.

Susan Kramer has assured Mark that she will pass this on to the appropriate person in the Ministry of Transport so they can look into the issue in greater detail.

Liberal Democrat County Councillor Michael Wyatt ward member for the Bardon area said, “I am absolutely delighted that Mark has been able to speak to a Senior Transport Minister concerning the Bardon By-Pass.

This issue must be resolved so the residents of Bardon can finally have their By-Pass which as been promised for over three decades.”

LOCAL NEWS

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

LABOUR CANDIDATE

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

M: 01530 277825 E: jamie@labournwl.org.uk

ANDREW BRIDGEN

A

s this Parliament draws to a close, it has been a very busy few weeks both in parliament and in the Constituency. A couple of weeks ago, DHL based at the Airport in Castle Donington received a visit from the Chancellor George Osborne. I was delighted to tell George of the contribution we in North West Leicestershire are making to the Government’s longterm economic plan delivering one of the highest economic growth rates in the Country. DHL is one of our biggest employers in NW Leics and I am pleased that the Chancellor took the time to listen to what they have to say and their future expansion plans which will mean more jobs for us in NW Leics. The investment announced last year of over £90 million demonstrates the belief DHL has in the UK and as George remarked, The new investment is further evidence that our long-term economic plan is working and Britain is coming back. However the job is not yet done and we must make sure the world’s largest companies maintain the confidence they have re-gained in the UK if we are to build a resilient economy.

Continuing the Business theme, I was also delighted to attend and speak at the Love Business Event at Donington Park organised by Whitwick based company Quiet Storm. I have attended for the past few years and the event has gone from strength to strength and this year was 6 times the size as the year before. This reflects the fact that business confidence is at its highest level since 1992. All of which creates more jobs and a higher tax take to fund our public services. As a former Chairman of the Institute of Directors, I know the importance of sentiment in business and why I powerfully fight anti-business sentiment as without a strong private and business sector, you cannot have strong public services.

Another vital component to a strong economy in an adequate infrastructure. I think there is a room for a great deal of improvement for our infrastructure in North West Leicestershire.

We are blessed to have the A42 which gives us great connectivity however some of our road links are going to get more congested at the economy continues to grow.

I am meeting with the County Council during March to discuss this and specifically the proposals regarding the Hugglescote Crossroads. There is clearly a lot of concern regarding what is being proposed and I want to discuss the alternatives to such drastic action. I will also be talking about the Burton to Leicester railway line which should be named the National Forest Line.

I believe support in building for this and I have spoken to all of the Council’s on the route who are very supportive. I have also discussed the proposal with the new Chief Executive of the National Forest and it is clear it would be a significant boost for the Forest.

I have also recently visited the 3000th home renovated under the Council’s Decent Homes programme with finance I secured from the Housing Minister. I remember visiting some of the Council Housing prior to my election and I was shocked at the conditions people were having to live in. Many homes were totally unacceptable and I am proud that we have not only secured the finance to make some of the worst council housing stock in the Country up to the best but that has been achieved whilst freezing Council tax for 5 years.

It is essential that these Homes remain maintained to a high standard so we are never left in the position that we were when the Conservatives came to office. As the election campaign gets into full swing, I look forward to meeting many of you on the doorsteps.

Andrew Bridgen

COALVILLE TOWN FOOTBALL

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JAMIE MCMAHON REMEMBERING DAVE DE LACY

Last month Ibstock and Heather Labour Councillor Dave De Lacy sadly died. Dave's passing was shocking news to those of us so close to him.

Dave has been a Councillor since the 2012 Ibstock and Heather By election and also served as Shadow Corporate Portfolio Holder on the District Council. Dave passed away suddenly but peacefully.

Dave's sudden passing leaves a massive hole in the Labour Party and the District Council. He was a tireless local Councillor who devoted his life to both his family and those causes he believed in.

VISIT TO IBSTOCK FOODBANK

I recently joined Ibstock District Councillors Janet Ruff and the late Dave De Lacy to visit Ibstock’s foodbank.

We had been invited by the local community and the Church Reverend to see the work of volunteers and talk to users at the foodbank.

Ibstock foodbank is now supporting over 50 people a week and is run entirely by volunteers.

The foodbank is based at Ibstock Baptist Church, Chapel Street and supported by the community shop.

Visiting Ibstock foodbank was a sad reminder that many people are struggling under Britain’s

Cost of Living crisis. So many foodbanks right across North West Leicestershire was the stuff of nightmares on a few years ago, now over 50 people use Ibstock alone foodbank every week.

The work of the local volunteers is fantastic, they’re so committed to helping their local community but we have to end this crisis. I spoke to families in work but still struggling to put food on the table.

JAMIE HAILS ASHBY HOSPITAL PUBLIC MEETING I was delighted to attend a recent public meeting on Ashby Hospital.

The meeting was organised by Ashby Civic Society at Ivanhoe College. The meeting was attended by many concerned local residents and I was honoured to speak on the panel.

The meeting was an opportunity for me to talk about my long running campaign for Ashby Hospital. I’ve called for services such as physiotherapy and outpatients currently provided at Ashby Hospital to remain well provided for in Ashby, with no gaps. I wanted the NHS to prove inpatient alternatives are fit for purpose. I also wanted the NHS to put the building to good community use.

In recent weeks I’ve called for updated information to be published on inpatient alternatives.

Before the decision was taken to close the 16 inpatient beds at Ashby Hospital in September, I insisted that information was published on the ability of the alternatives to cope. With residents expressing concerns after five months experience of the alternatives I believe the NHS needs to work to reassure the public by producing up to date information.

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KIDS ZONE

CHRISTIE CAT AND HER YUMMY CARROT MUFFINS Christie Cat decided to bake some yummy carrot muffins. The sun was shining and she could hear the birds singing through her open kitchen window.

Christie started to weigh out all the ingredients she needed and put them in to a large mixing bowl.

Christie then went to the pantry to get the carrots but Oh NO! She hadn’t any left. She was very sad, Carrot muffins are her favourite and she was really looking forward to them.

Just then Christie Cat heard Daniel Dog shouting “Hello” over the garden fence.

“Lovely day Christie” He shouted.

“I suppose so” replied Christie.

“What’s wrong?” said Daniel.

Christie told Daniel all about her plan to make carrot muffins and that she hadn’t any carrots left so would have to have plain muffins instead.

“Don’t worry” said Daniel Dog, “I have lots of carrots growing in my garden, I shall go and dig some up for you.”

Easter Poem It’s Easter and by now it should be very clear that the long awaited Springtime at last is here.

Winter storms are finally behind us. Shout hooray!

Long days of sunshine now are not so very far away.

Easter time. It means renewal and re-birth.

Reminds us all that we must care for planet Earth.

Chocolate eggs, they really are symbolic.

As new born lambs in field and meadow frolic.

Fruity hot cross buns are very good to toast.

Should we choose beef or turkey for our Sunday roast?

Easter is a busy time for gardens, so rejoice!

Those nodding golden daffodils, the flower of choice.

At Easter time the cycle of the seasons starts anew.

Christie was so happy, with Daniels help she finished baking her carrot muffins and as a thank you she invited Daniel to stay and share the muffins.

Plans for the summer holidays we now review.

So Christie and Daniel sat in the garden eating homemade (and home grown) carrot muffins and drinking fresh lemonade.

Passed down the generations for us all to hear.

“Do you know what Daniel?” said Christie, “I think cakes taste better when shared with friends. I think you’re right!” said Daniel.

The Easter message should by now be very clear.

By Chris Rose

KIDS WORD SEARCH

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What you’ll need: • 2 sheets of yellow paper • 1 sheet of orange paper • 2 paper fasteners • 2 large wiggly eyes (optional) • White craft glue • Scissors • Pencil • Pen or dark crayon How to make it: 1. Trace both hands onto the yellow paper and cut out.

2. Draw an oval onto the other yellow piece of construction paper.

3. Lay the oval on the table and position the wings (hand cut outs) behind it, using the photo as a guide.

4. When the wings are where you want them, carefully poke the fasteners through the construction paper to attach the wings. Using fasteners allows the wings to flap up and down.

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NAME: AGE: ADDRESS:

7. Glue wiggly eyes (or draw your own) above the beak.

8. Position the legs under the oval. When you have them where you want them, glue them in place.

9. Use the pen or dark crayon to write a message on the front of the card.

TEL:

EMAIL: SEND ENTRY TO: Community Eye, 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2HQ - Closing date 28th April 2015

HEALTH & WELLBEING

which can be impossible to read without pinching and zooming. Modern devices can increasingly be operated by voice control interfaces such as Apple’s Siri, which can reduce the amount of time spent looking at them.

START THINKING SMART

We’d also recommend adjusting the brightness to a comfortable level, while sunscreens and anti-glare covers can prevent headaches being caused by reflections or bright sunlight. This latter issue may also be overcome by wearing sunglasses.

With an estimated 35 million smartphones in the UK , and tablets increasingly replacing PCs and laptops, mobile communication devices are here to stay.

Mild eye strain caused by overuse of mobile devices can be reduced by using eye drops or trying to blink more frequently. Because people tend to stare intently at computer screens, they blink less than during other activities - this can accelerate the onset of dryness and fatigue.

However, the human eye wasn’t designed for these 21st century gadgets, so it’s important to use them in moderation.

The tiny lettering on smartphone screens may cause eye strain without appropriate reading glasses, we can advise you about vision correction products and prescription strengths. Reading glasses are often recommended for people over the age of 40, and today’s varifocal lenses can also help you to navigate those closely-packed lines of text.

Devices like the Kindle e-reader replicate the appearance of a traditional book to reduce eye fatigue, and they’re designed to be held at arm’s length – a useful tip for any mobile device.

Never spend more than 20 minutes looking at a portable device without giving your eyes a minute to re-focus elsewhere, and zoom in (by pinching two fingers on the screen and pulling them apart) whenever it’s possible to do so. Handheld gadgets can shrink their text to fit the available space,

“Never spend more than 20 minutes looking at a portable device without giving your eyes a minute to re-focus elsewhere, and zoom in whenever it’s possible to do so.”

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Fill in each 3x3 block using the letters DRAGONFLY So there are no repeats in any block, horizontal or vertical line.

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iPhone 4/4s

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NAME: ADDRESS: TEL:

EMAIL: SEND ENTRY TO: Community Eye, 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2HQ - Closing date 28th April 2015

“We’d also recommend turning down the brightness levels as much as possible, while sunscreens and antiglare covers can prevent headaches being caused by reflections or bright sunlight.”

To combat this, eye drop lubricants are available to aid comfort. For more advice on this issue, please call into the practice. Any recurring headaches or blurred vision should immediately be reported to us so that we can examine your eyes and identify possible causes.

Did you know? The world’s first smartphone was launched in 1994, combining email and cellphone capabilities. It was called the IBM Simon, weighed over a pound and didn’t really catch on.

Submitted by Bonita Irish FBDO Hallcroft Opticians T: 01509 650666 E: info@hallcroftopticians.co.uk W: www.hallcroftopticians.co.uk

Love Your Feet!

Plantar Fasciitis “Foot Pain” Submitted by Sally Prytherch Hinds Feet Foot Care T: 07806786616 E: hindsfeetfootcare@gmail.com W: www.hindsfeetfootcare.co.uk Plantar fasciitis is characterised by heel pain, but can also affect the rest of the foot. The ligament like tissue running from the heel to the middle of the foot can become damaged resulting in thickening and inflammation, though often, there is no direct cause.

Pain is most noticeable on getting out of bed in the morning with the sufferer having to ‘hobble’ across the room. It is made worse by wearing flat shoes with poor cushioning and little arch support or by any situation which puts extra strain on the feet.

Carrying excess weight and walking barefoot on hard surfaces can exacerbate the condition. Plantar fasciitis is common in people with flat feet and those with high arches and affects more women than men, with one in ten people experiencing it during their lifetime.

A combination of various strategies can help relieve symptoms including resting the foot wherever possible. Foot wear providing

USEFUL WEBSITES:

heel cushioning and arch support will aid comfort, as will heel pads or shoes with a 1cm heel which shortens the ligament by raising the heel. Anti-inflammatory medication or ice packs wrapped in a cloth and held against the foot for 10 to 15 minutes may help reduce inflammation.

Calf stretching exercises which can also loosen a tightened Achilles tendon may reduce symptoms but must be done daily to be effective.

Pilates is a good form of stretching exercise and a ‘Pilates band’ can assist with calf and foot exercises.

Readymade or custom orthotic insoles can help support and realign the foot which can greatly relieve symptoms, and orthotic footwear with built in support is available. If simple measures are not effective a discussion with a GP or Podiatrist is advisable as in severe cases steroid injections or other treatments may be necessary.

Exercises and further information can be found at www.nhs.uk.

www.nhs.uk - www.patient.co.uk - www.foot.com/site/professional/foot-facts

14

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COMMUNITY EYE Ashby and Packington 6200 copies COMMUNITY EYE Measham 6000 copies

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