January 2017 - Coalville Community Eye

COALVILLE

COMMUNITY EYE

DELIVERED MONTHLY FREE TO 7500 HOMES & BUSINESSES

FREE AFTER 3PM

At Coalville Car Parks Plus No Parking Charge Increases in NW Leicestershire Until 2020

JANUARY 2017

WHITWICK & DISTRICT U3A Latest News Update

BOOK SALE!

At Coalville Library

NW GROUP OF LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND Wildlife Trust Talks

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LOCAL NEWS

Andrew Bridgen MP Urges Local Primary Schools To Use The Online Fitness Programme Designed To Ensure A ‘Fitter Future’

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3

Coalville Gets ‘Free After 3pm’ Car Parking

• No parking charge increases in NW Leicestershire until 2020

• Free after 3pm parking for

Coalville from 3 January 2017 • New short stay car park for Ashby de la Zouch • New ticket machines to improve ways to pay Visitors to Coalville will benefit from free parking after 3pm after a whole host of positive changes to North West Leicestershire District Council’s car parks were agreed last night (Tuesday 13 December 2016).

The ‘Free After 3pm’ promotion, which starts on 3 January 2017, is one of a raft of measures endorsed by the council’s Cabinet as part of the authority’s new Car Parking Strategy.

Shoppers wishing to use the car parks in Coalville during the afternoon will now be able to park for free after 3pm. Similar schemes are used across the country to boost trade in quiet periods, typically targeting after school shoppers and those who can be flexible about when they visit.

Weekly and monthly tickets will also make parking in the district easier, and new ticket machines will give drivers new ways to pay, including credit / debit card, contactless payments and pay by phone.

It was also agreed that there would be no increase in parking charges until 2020.

These changes come after the council received recommendations from built environment experts at White Young Green, which carried out wide ranging consultation with car park users, revealing different parking requirements across the district.

The cost of parking is too high, especially for short trips There is no problem with the availability of spaces Short term trials for promotions would be welcomed.

These changes come just two months after the announcement that NWLDC will create a new 60 space car park in the heart of Ashby de la Zouch. Along with further public realm investment in the town, this area will develop into the leisure and cultural quarter of the town.

Consultation responses in Ashby differed to those in Coalville, highlighting the difference between the towns in terms of car parking requirements. Comments included: It is difficult to find a space at busy times (86% of respondents want more spaces) Long stay parking in central car parks makes it difficult to find a space Councillor Alison Smith MBE, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: “Our work on this parking strategy has given us the evidence base to show that people have different needs when they come to park in our two main towns – Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville. This is why we’re making different improvements in each town – providing more short stay spaces for Ashby and changing the charging structure for Coalville to provide free parking after 3pm.

People regularly ask us to provide free parking, particularly in Coalville. The free after 3pm decision goes some way towards providing what people have told us they want, so I hope that this, along with other changes to our car parks will make it easier for people to visit Coalville and support our local businesses.”

For more information about car parking in North West Leicestershire, visit www.nwleics.gov.uk/parking

Primary Schools up and down the country are using Fitter Future, an online series of fitness workouts, to ensure they are hitting targets outlined in the Government Obesity Strategy.

Fitter Future works with both KS1 and KS2 classes and is designed for use in the classroom or hall.

The programme allows teachers to quickly initiate brain breaks and active sessions throughout the day. Research shows that children who are subject to regular physical activity have the potential to perform better in the classroom. Benefits of regular exercise includes a boost of brain cell growth, increase in attention and stimulation of brain neurones.

Andrew Bridgen MP states: “I urge the local Primary Schools in North West Leicestershire to engage with Fitter Future who are offering all primary schools a free trial of the programme. The programme is designed to give teachers the opportunity to try workouts and see how Fitter Future would benefit their classes. I am informed that the benefits are that no equipment is needed, set up time is quick and all workouts include three tier differentiation to cater for all levels. Furthermore all children who attend user schools get free access to the programme from home where they can complete workouts and exclusive monthly challenges.”

Fitter Future is also a great use of the Sport Premium Funding.

All schools receive a Playground Pack which allows teachers to take workouts to the playground with a simple picture step by step guide to all the movements seen in the programme. Detailed data reports are also sent each month so schools can measure impact.

For further information about Futter Future, or to book a free trial, please contact Fitter Future on 0844 693 2220 or email info@fitterfuture.com

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4

LOCAL NEWS

Changes To Groby Road And NW Leicestershire Services From 19th February 2017

Shire Grant Success For Coalville The Hero Project CIC, the team that delivers Coalville Heroes, has been successful in securing a £9,000 Shire grant from Leicestershire County Council to launch #growlocal ad #eatsocial.

Groby Road corridor (Leicester): Services are now every 10 minutes between the city centre and County Hall.

Service 26: Leicester-Groby-Coalville A revised timetable is being introduced to improve punctuality.

The route through Groby is revised to take in Stephenson Way and Woodbank Road. Parts of Ratby Road in Groby will no longer be served. Customers currently boarding by Ratby Allotments can use alternative stops at Lawnwood Shopping Parade.

Service 27: Leicester to Ratby We are changing the timetable in response to increased traffic congestion in Leicester. Due to low passenger numbers at certain times of day Whittington Drive will now only be served on off-peak journeys.

Service 28: Leicester to Groby This service is being incorporated into other services due to low passenger numbers. Some sections of route will no longer be served. Customers currently boarding in Glebe Road and Pymm Leys Lane can use alternative services from Woodbank Road (26), Laundon Way Shops (27), or Leicester Road (26, 29, 29A).

Service 9/9A: Coalville to Burton We are changing the timetable in response to increased traffic congestion in Leicester and Burton. Services are renumbered 29 (from 9) and 29A (from 9A) and will have the same number all the way through from Leicester to Burton to make it easier for customers to know which route their bus will take between Coalville and Burton.

MEASHAM

1

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Service 11: Coalville to Agar Nook We're revising the frequency of service 11 due to changing customer demand. Buses will now run up to every 15 minutes (previously every 10 minutes) between Agar Nook, Greenhill and Coalville town centre. The area will also benefit from the more frequent 29/29A service.

Service 15: Coalville to lbstock We're revising the frequency of service 15 on Saturdays due to changing customer demand. The service will continue to operate but at a revised frequency of every 30 minutes.

Service 14: Leicester to New Parks A revised timetable is being introduced to improve punctuality in response to increasing congestion in the city centre.

For more information services and timetables, either download the free Arriva Bus App via the Apple Store or Google Play, or visit www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands

ISSUE 9 - AUG/SEP 2015FREE MONTHLY LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, PUZZLES,

COMPETITIONS & MORE

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The Shire community grants, issued by Leicestershire County Council, are for projects that will make a difference to a local community in the county and provide a maximum of £10,000.

So far, over the past 12 months, £180,000 has been given to organisations which run projects to support vulnerable people.

For more information of the Hero Project CIC visit theheroproject. org.uk/coalville-heroes

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Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet member for communities at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to support this inspiring community initiative. Encouraging the local community to get together and join in this important cause is of benefit to local people as well as to the environment. Backing projects such as The Hero Project CIC helps us with our strategy of encouraging communities to help themselves and to promote health and wellbeing.”

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “It is projects and initiatives like this #growlocal and #eatsocial that will help bring the already strong community of Coalville together and make it even stronger while promoting healthy eating and the importance of a good meal with friends and family. I am pleased that this council was the first to support The Hero Project CIC, and they are providing some great opportunities for everyone. It will help build confidence in Coalville and get people feeling positive not just about their town but also themselves.”

ISSUE 5 - AUG/SEP 2015

WORLD HEART DAY

WORLD HEART DAY

One of the aims of the project is to use food destined for landfill and develop regular community meals, cooked by local people and served up in different locations in and around Coalville, all at an affordable price. The benefit of #eatsocial dining is huge; it can promote wellbeing, improve health and reduce loneliness, as well as being tremendous fun. There will be plenty of volunteering opportunities too, perhaps sharing existing or learning new skills.

Julia Burkin, Director of The Hero Project CIC, said: ‘’When we see children playing our human fruit machine game, getting to taste new things, and asking lots of questions whilst having fun, we know what we are doing is important. Without the fantastic support of funders, such as district and county councils these activities wouldn’t be happening.’’

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COMMUNITY EYE

MUNITY EYE

OMPETITIONS & MORE

DONISTHORPE, OAKTHORPE, MOIRA, APPLEBY MAGNA & RAVENSTONE

Service 29/29A/29X: Leicester to Coalville 29X withdrawn and replaced additional journeys on service 29 and 29A. Services 29 and 29A will now operate up to every 20mins between Leicester and Coalville via Markfield Village Centre, Groby, Greenhill and Whitwick.

Two buses per hour will continue to Ashby, Swadlincote and Burton.

The times of buses serving the Amazon warehouse at Bardon are revised to better fit their shifts and additional journeys are introduced to meet all their shift times 7 days a week.

This exciting new project will see a wide range of growing and eating events and activities start in January 2017. They will be coordinated and promoted

by Julia Burkin and Deana Wildgoose, the creative team behind The Hero Project CIC, who will be working with local businesses, organisations and voluntary groups to ensure there is something happening over the whole year.

Earlier this year The Hero Project CIC was awarded £15,000 by North West Leicestershire District Council as part of its Green Footprints Agenda. They have already engaged hundreds of local children, showing them how fruit and vegetables can be made into nutritious smoothies and soups as part of the Coalville Heroes project.

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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has 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 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that

obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Coalville & Hugglescote areas and manager Martyn Kemp agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I

get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

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6

LOCAL NEWS

North West Group Of Leicestershire And Rutland Wildlife Trust Talks Feb 17th - The new Bardon quarry. Phil Jackson Bio Diversity Advisor, Aggregate Industries, describes the development of the new quarry and outlines how the ecological mitigation measures will be put in place.

March 31st - Twycross Zoo and conservation. A member of the Education staff describes the history of the zoo, its current activities and future conservation programme.

April 21st - A virtual tour of remote and beautiful South America.

Paula and Michael Webster take us to some of the beautiful and remote areas of South America with its diverse environment, people and wildlife.

All talks take place at Ashby Methodist Chapel, Burton Rd, Ashby and begin at 7:30pm. Entry is £3 per person and includes refreshments.

Whitwick And District U3A

Coalville Library Book Sale!

Whitwick and District U3A Whitwick and District U3A will hold its first General Meeting of 2017 on Friday 20th January.

Head over to Coalville library and bag yourself a bargain! Our sale includes both adult and children’s stock and will be held from Saturday 7th January until Saturday 4th February. Stock up your book shelves with popular authors and recent best sellers from our adult’s and children’s stock.

Details of all the varied Interest Groups will be available, making this an ideal opportunity to follow through those New Year Resolutions to be more active and meet new people.

The U3A offers friendship through learning and social activities to those no longer in full-time employment. Everyone is welcome: the U3A is a nonpolitical and non-religious organisation.

Our speaker for January will be Peter Varden with a presentation entitled “The History of the 78rpm Record”. Peter presents the Jazz programme on Hermitage FM. He will share examples from his large collection of old recordings of music of many genres and take us back to the days of more simple technology.

Christmas Arrivals – Appropriately Housed In A Stable!

Some of the cats available from Redgate from about 10th January We are delighted to report that we have been very lucky with re-homing cats and kittens in the past quarter – some lovely local folk have been coming along to the Shaw Lane sanctuary to adopt a new friend (or rather, new family member). But of course, time moves on and we are now settling the next ‘cohort’ (as I believe the new buzz-word is) into quarantine.

Another 8 cats were picked up from around and about the area last weekend alone. And they are now finding their paws in the new cattery block and also ... in the old stables. Very appropriate for Christmas rescues! There will probably be about 15 cats for adoption by early/mid January.

Adopting a Redgate Cat If, after the Christmas celebrations have subsided and routine life has resumed, you think that YOU might be able to adopt a Redgate cat – and they really are unique!

– please do come along and visit us and meet them. There really is no obligation to make a decision

All items are very reasonably priced - don’t miss our bargain book sale!

For more information call the library on: 0116 3053565.

Please come along to St. David’s Church Hall, Broom Leys, Coalville LE67 4RL at 1.45 for a 2.00pm start.

More information about Whitwick and District U3A can be found on our comprehensive and up-todate website at www.whitwicku3a.org.uk quickly. Our newer arrivals will be put up for re-homing from about 10th January after all their veterinary checks/treatments have been completed – and I’m sure you will agree there are some real beauties in the attached photos, of all colours and patterns: although like families everywhere, we love them all, regardless! We only ask that you visit the cat twice to make sure he or she is your perfect match, pay a reservation fee (leaving full contact details), and also give the staff notice of the date and time you will pick up your new cat.

Our postal address is Markfield but we are based on Shaw Lane (beside the A511) very near to the Stardust roundabout/Charnwood Arms in Bardon.

Our telephone number is 01530 243 925.

Opening hours (and telephone times) are 10.45am – 3.30pm.

Every day of the week. * Please note, before 10.45am we are always very busy with feeding, medication and cleaning. www. redgatefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk And if you would like to help with fundraising or volunteering, please call Jo Leadbetter on 01530 230 455.

Find Out What’s On In 2017 At Coalville Library With A Coffee And A Chat!

Come along to Coalville Library on Saturday 14th January, 10.30am – 1.30pm for a hot drink and to find out about what your library has to offer in 2017! We’ll be telling you about all you can get as a library member and about upcoming events and activities.

LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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8

LOCAL NEWS

Historical Artefacts Discovered At Grace Dieu Members of the Loughborough Coin and Search Society conducted a search within the grounds of Grace Dieu Manor School led by Grace Dieu parent, Mr Stephen Taylor and Researcher John Maloney. The School is situated in a rich historical landscape on the edge of Charnwood Forest and North West Leicestershire. The group used traditional traverse and stint fieldwalking and metal detectors to scour the land.

Their search brought up numerous artefacts, old and new, including various coins, pottery from the 18th and 19th century, clay pipes, buttons, badges and military relics such as musket /pistol balls from pre 1910 guns.

The highlight of all the finds was a silver coin of William III dating to 1700 which was probably a sixpence. This particular coin had been made into a 'Love Token'. There was a custom where a young man would give a smoothed bent coin, which had had the Monarch's head obliterated and then bent twice to a potential sweetheart. If his sweetheart accepted the advances the young lady would keep the token - if not she disposed of the coin... The tradition is reflected in the old rhyme "There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile, he found a crooked sixpence on a crooked style".

The artefacts will be on display at the School for the children to see in the new year and, although they are of no great worth, they all have a story behind them and bring a little bit of our local history alive.

The Public Has Spoken And The Winner Is...

The public has crowned the Market Cafe and Birds Bakery as the two winners of the Christmas in Coalville Shop Window Competition, in a year when so many fantastic entrants were all vying for top spot.

The annual competition, run

by North West Leicestershire District Council, always brings out the best in the town centre.

Shop windows adorned with snowflakes, Santas and baubles and market stalls tinselled to the roof tops, helping to spread the festive joy to all who pass.

This year is the first year that the public decided who won by casting their votes on the council’s website. The results are: Market Hall stall top three: Market Cafe Rock-a-Billy MRC Upcycled Furniture.

Business windows top three: Birds

Coalville Kitchens and Bedrooms Sugar and Ice.

Councillor Tony Gillard, Portfolio Holder for Business at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “What a competition we had this year, with 23 market stalls and businesses taking part each with their own individual and unique styles. Congratulations to the Market Cafe and Birds for winning and thank you to everyone who

took part or cast their vote. This is always a favourite event of mine as it makes Coalville town centre look nice

and festive. We hope it highlighted some of the shops and businesses we have in Coalville that people wouldn’t otherwise have visited.”

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10

LOCAL NEWS

COUNTY COUNCILLOR

MICHAEL WYATT

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

Wyatt Welcomes Commitment By Police To Stay In Coalville Building work to construct a new police station in Coalville will start in March 2017.

Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have agreed to share the fire station in Coalville.

This follows a period of consultation with the community and partners about the best options for the existing police station, as it needs millions of pounds worth of investment to refurbish it and currently costs

£125,000 of public money every year to run.

It is estimated that the new police station will take seven months to complete the building work and that it will cost approximately £600,000.

The annual running costs of the building will be shared with the fire service and be equivalent to the amount of building space the police will occupy.

Cllr Michael Wyatt a member of the Leicestershire fire and rescue service said, "I'm delighted to see that the services such as Police and fire are finally working together. Being together under one roof makes perfect sense and at the same time keeps the much needed service local."

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LOCAL NEWS

Coalville Clubs & Groups

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

Coalville Rugby Club

01530 812090 Memorial Ground, Hall Lane, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 5PF ---------------------------------------------------

Coalville Town Hockey Club

Matt Howells - 07980449524 King Edward VII Science & Sports College, Warren Hills Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 4UW ---------------------------------------------------

Coalville Town Football Club

Visit www.coalvilletownfc.co.uk Owen Street Sports Ground Owen Street, Coalville, LE67 3DA ---------------------------------------------------

Coalville Heritage Society

c/o The Secretary 125 Highfield Street, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3BR ---------------------------------------------------

‘OLD 'n' BOLD CLUB’

01530 814718 Classic - Vintage Car and motorcycle meeting every Friday morning 10am till 2pm aimed at retired people and shift workers. The Victoria Bikers Pub, Whitwick Road, Coalville, LE67 3FA ---------------------------------------------------

Whitwick & District U3A

Richard Collier - 01530 249377 (Membership Secretary) for postal address details or email mem_sec@whitwicku3a.org.uk ---------------------------------------------------

1188 (Coalville) Squadron

We meet at the headquarters on Forest Road in Coalville on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7.15pm until 9.30pm. Find out more http://1188sqnatc.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------

Coalville Army Cadets

ACF Hut, Waterworks Road, Coalville, LE67 4HZ Meet Wednesdays at 19:00 - 21:30 ---------------------------------------------------

Hermitage Harriers RC

01530 811215 We meet at the Leisure Centre at 6.45pm for a 7pm run on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Hermitage Leisure Centre, Silver Street, Whitwick, Coalville, LE67 5EU ---------------------------------------------------

The Rotary Club Of Coalville

David Beaumont (Membership) davidbeaumont57@hotmail.com We meet at 7pm on Mondays.

Please check to make sure a meeting is taking place, as sometimes we are visiting elsewhere. The Hermitage Park Hotel, Whitwick Road, Coalville, LE67 3FA. ---------------------------------------------------

The Inner Wheel Club Of Coalville

We meet on the third Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at 7:00pm at La Torre Restuarant.

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Coalville Gymnastics Club

01530 811001 coalville.gymnastics@ talktalkbusiness.net Unit 8 Snibston Drive, Off Ravenstone Road, Coalville, LE67 3NQ

Coalville Ramblers

Anne Donegan - 01283 760348 publicity@coalvilleramblers.org.uk www.coalvilleramblers.org.uk where our programme of walks is available to view. You can also join online by following the link.

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Whitwick Methodist Church Drop In Cafe

Deacon Barbara Crockett 07881 408488 We meet every 2nd and 4th Monday of every month for refreshments and a chat, from 10.00 until 12.00 at the Whitwick Methodist Church, The Market Place, Whitwick (bottom end of Hall Lane). Everyone will be made especially welcome for coffee or tea, with home made cakes and good company.

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Alternative Book Club Coalville

Helena Lomax helenalomax@btconnect.com We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at The Hermitage Hotel Coalville.

Membership is free! Books are chosen by members plus we have a couple of months where we all read and review a book of our choice. We also have a very popular book swap/share at the end of each meeting. We also have a Facebook page.

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Coalville Male Voice Choir

www.coalvillemvc.co.uk Coalville Male Voice Choir will be pleased to welcome singers any Thursday evenings 7.00pm at Hall Lane, Methodist Church our practice venue.

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Coalville & District Photographic Society

We meet every other Monday (next meetings 3rd, 17th, 31st Oct, 14th, 28th Nov) at 7.30pm at the Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville.

All levels are welcome, please visit www.sites.google.com/site/ coalvilleanddistrictcameraclub for more details.

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Whitwick Retired People Fellowship

Secretary - Mrs B King 01530 835981 We meet at Whitwick Methodist Church, Hall Lane, Whitwick, every Tuesday 1:30 to 4pm. It is an independent group which meets for social interaction, tea and biscuits, cost £1, first visit free. Outings, which are often subsidised, are arranged at intervals throughout the year and a Christmas lunch is held for the members in December. A mini bus can be organised for attendance with the Marlene Reid Centre, if required, this needs to be booked direct with Marlene Reid the previous day.

FREE ‘LEARN TO SING in HARMONY’ COURSE FOR MEN

What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2017?

Why not be part of a ‘ Learn to Sing in Harmony ‘ A free ‘Learn to Sing in Harmony’ course is being held by Heart of England Chorus in February for four weeks at the Birstall Social Club, Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS

Aimed at both newcomers and those who have not sung for a while, the course will run from Monday February 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th to encourage more men to take up singing, which is increasingly acknowledged as being an aid to a healthy lifestyle.

There are many men who would love to sing but most never get around to trying, don’t have the opportunity or maybe are too selfconscious to give it a go but the simple fact is that just about everyone can sing. Attendees learn within a group which makes it less daunting, there are no embarrassing public auditions and it’s free!

Participants will be helped to discover their voice, learn the techniques of making the most of it and how to use it in four-part harmony with others. There’s no need to worry about reading music as the teaching methods employed are designed to help quickly learn the specially-commissioned song.

For men who haven’t sung for a few years this course is the perfect way to ease their vocal chords back into action. Regular singers may also find the course useful to learn different voice parts, in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The course will run from 7-30pm to 10pm All the material will be provided with access to course teaching materials.

Contact: P.J.Hunt Secretary 0116 2675 339 email: jansbolt@btinternet.com

North West Leicestershire Model Engineers

07922692076 We are a model engineering club and run steam trains on our track at hermitage recreation ground.

You do not have to own a loco to join as the club have there own engines which members can use.

We steam on 3rd Sunday and also on other days why not come and join us.

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Whitwick Netball Club

We are a friendly bunch of ladies of varying ages and fitness who meet for training on Wednesday evenings 6.30pm8.00pm at Castle Rock High School Sports Hall. For further details please contact Abby Chambers via our Facebook page, search for Whitwick Netball Club or pop along.

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Broom Leys Choral Society

Meet on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm in Whitwick Methodist Church, Hall Lane.

We are a mixed choir and would welcome new members especially tenors and basses.

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Musical Theatre School (MTS) 07969688215 musicaltheatreschl@gmail.com www.musicaltheatreschl.co.uk Singing, Dancing and Drama every Tuesday at Marlborough Square Church for ages 4 years up to adults. Timetable can be found on the website and contact Steph for further information.

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Christ Church

London Road, Coalville.

Every Thursday morning the church will be open from 9:30 to 12. Tea/coffee, a snack and chat will be available in the meeting room. Please join us, bring a friend. We look forward to seeing you.

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Hugglescote & Doningtonle-Heath Heritage Society

hugglescotedoningtonheritage@ gmail.com Facebook https://en-gb. facebook.com/HADLHHS Monthly historical talks- see programme for details. We meet: 2nd Thursday of the month 7:30pm-9:00pm at Hugglescote Community Centre, Grange Road, Hugglescote LE67 2BR. January 2017- No talk Thursday 9th February 2017: Tracing Your Family History Maureen Partridge of the Whitwick Historical Group will guide you on how to start tracing your family tree Thursday 9th March 2017: Shopping in Hugglescote Historic Co-Op film, a talk by Clark Robinson and put your memories of local shops on the map.

All talks held at Hugglescote Community Centre, 7:30pm £3 including refreshments.

Families welcome.

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LOCAL ADVERTISERS

13

Settlement Agreements – What are they? Should you sign?

In the majority of cases, when employment relationships end they do so amicably.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and there will be occasions when employees are entitled to compensation.

Sometimes it will be necessary to pursue a claim for compensation through an Employment Tribunal, although it may be possible to avoid the need for a claim by reaching a negotiated settlement with an employer. In such situations, employees will often be asked to sign a formal document, known as a Settlement Agreement (formerly called a Compromise Agreement).

By signing a Settlement Agreement, an employee will waive their right to bring most claims against their employer; as such, they can be very useful to employers and it is usual for an employee to be incentivised by payments that exceed the amounts they are entitled to under their contract, or legislation.

Twice Awarded Leicestershire Law Society County Law Firm Of The Year.

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For this reason Settlement Agreements are not uncommon in redundancy situations, if an employee is receiving a redundancy payment that is higher than the statutory amount.

• Help to Buy Scheme

The waiver is clearly significant, and so a Settlement Agreement will only be valid if the employee has received independent advice on its nature and effect from a relevant adviser; it is usual for an employer to at least contribute to the employee’s costs of obtaining the advice, given the benefit of the waiver to the employer.

• Company/Commercial • Commercial Property • Dispute Resolution

A key consideration for the adviser is whether the proposed payments at least equal the amounts the employee may be entitled to receive; if they do not, the employee can decide whether to:

• Employment • Family and Childcare

• sign the agreement (and provide the waiver); or • ask the employer to pay more; or • decline the agreement and bring a claim for the sums which the employer is trying to avoid paying.

• Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Administration

There will usually be other issues covered by a Settlement Agreement, including confidentiality, the return of company property, and the tax treatment of the payments. An employer may also take the opportunity to affirm, or introduce, restrictive covenants; these are clauses which can affect what an employee can do in terms of future employment.

In view of the significance of the waiver, and the additional elements that can be contained in a Settlement Agreement, it is essential to obtain professional advice on the impact of signing, in order to make an informed decision.

If you have been asked to sign a Settlement Agreement, call Nick Gay or Laura Anderson for some initial advice on the terms.

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14

LOCAL NEWS

COUNTY COUNCILLOR

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

T: 01530 832622 E: terri.eynon@leics.gov.uk

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

ANDREW BRIDGEN

DR TERRI EYNON

“If they need to build us a new Leisure Centre, why can't the Council build it at Snibston?” is an excellent question being posed

by Coalville residents on the street and Streetlife online.

Reshaping the landscape Before becoming elected, joining up services in the public sector – especially in mental health – was a big part of my professional life.

Reshaping existing services is always a battle and I know just how hard it was. What could get in the way of such a sensible idea becoming a tangible reality?

Who are ‘The Council’?

The trouble is, there isn't one Council. North West Leicestershire District Council own the Leisure Centre. Leicestershire County Council own the derelict site that was once a popular Discovery Museum. The man or woman in the street sometimes struggles to decide which Council does what and quite rightly so. Surely these institutions should work together for the common good?

Sadly, it does not work like that. Even though the District Council Leader, Cllr Richard Blunt, occupies the same human form as County Heritage Lead, also Cllr Richard Blunt, the plans for Snibston and the plans for Coalville's Leisure Centre have been developed in mental silos without taking any account of the benefit of a joint approach.

Why move the Hermitage Leisure Centre anyway?

One driver is the ‘Choose Coalville’ project. Welcome improvements to shop fronts and the Emporium aim to boost local business. The ruling Tory group believe that locating a thoroughly modern Leisure Centre on the Bridge Road car park will bring more visitors into our town.

The people of Whitwick are opposed to the move. The plans will leave them with only the outdoor sports fields and a small pavilion for people to change. The remaining

land will be sold for housing to partfund the relocated building.

Another driver is a wish to outsource Leisure services.

About 200 Council staff will be transferred to a private Trust who will be engaged to run all our Leisure Centres at a profit.

Making plans for Snibston House-building is also expected to fund the restoration of the derelict Snibston Museum site. The County Council hope to raise £1M from selling the museum footprint, events arena and former coach park. This will help fund improvements to the park, including a BMX track, adult adventure play and exercise equipment. A car-park and small café is going to raise, according to the plans, the £160,000 a year needed to make this work.

Given that District Council adult play equipment is already available for free in the Urban Forest Park (behind the tip) and exercise equipment in Coalville Park, I am not sure why people would choose to pay to use County equipment instead?

Working together for Coalville None of the decisions about Snibston or the Leisure Centre are ours to make. Coalville does not have a Town Council.

It is frustrating to stand on the sidelines watching two institutions studiously ignoring each other and pursuing their plans for our town as if the other doesn't exist.

I am not usually a fan of big structural changes in our institutions. They rarely deliver the millions in promised savings and are massively disruptive. But I can see the point. Perhaps it is time to merge the District and County functions into one Unitary Council serving North West Leicestershire?

Or perhaps it is time Coalville had a Town Council with the power to manage both Snibston and Leisure services?

Maybe then we would see some joined up thinking?

I think it's agreed by most political commentators that 2016 saw more than its fair share of historic events and will potentially be regarded as a defining year where those who felt ignored by a perceived out of touch political elite decided to make their voices heard.

Two events either side of the Atlantic are the embodiment of this. Brexit on our side and the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States on the other. People who thought they didn’t have a voice were given platform to make their feelings known to the so called elite who in a desperate attempt to disparage them named them as ‘populists’.

Looking at the Brexit vote, peoples reasons for voting leave clearly show two dominant concerns, Immigration and Sovereignty. With Immigration it was clear that the Government could not control the numbers coming to the UK whilst we remained members of the EU. It was also unfair and discriminatory against non EU Countries, many of whom are our Commonwealth cousins. The motto of the Vote Leave campaign was ‘Taking back control’ and that is something that resonated with the majority of British people and my constituents who were tired of being told there is nothing that can be done on issues that directly affect their lives because it was under the control of a vast unelected, unaccountable body based not in the UK but in Brussels.

2016 was the year of the revolt against political elites taking power away from the people. In the USA, there was a revolt against a political establishment and a brand of media and celebrity telling people what to think. I

believe there is a widespread feeling that people are fed up being talked at and want to be talked to. They have seen their concerns about immigration dismissed as racism and their concerns about sovereignty as being a little nationalist. To casually dismiss these concerns as populism is a grave mistake by those seeking to impose their own will upon the majority.

I believe what we saw in 2016 was the start rather than the end of process. The French elections next year look set to be fought out by candidates on the right, Angela Merkel is now reduced to ‘ban the burka’ rhetoric to cover her loss of control over migration and parties such as the Freedom Party is Holland are on course to take a significant share of the vote.

As the EU has shown itself to be completely incapable of reform, I believe the desire of those who live in nation states that want to exert their right to democracy will grow and we will continue to see what was described a shock results throughout the year ahead.

Turning to more local matters, the rate of unemployment continues to fall in the District and is down now to just 1% as more companies move or expand their operations in the area.

I’ve also recently visited the Snibston site to inspect the plans that the County Council have for the buildings and the Country Park. It is clear that there is much potential for this site and the Country Park can and should be better used. I will be expanding on my thoughts about the project in the coming months.

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Clare is a founding director of Moving Made Cheaper and gained her level 3 qualifications in residential sales and lettings, allowing her and the company to become members of both NAEA and ARLA. Clare was born, and continues to live, in Loughborough and so has a wonderful knowledge of the town and surrounding areas.

Following a customer focused career with an airline, Stef joined our team in 2013 to start a new career in estate agency. Stef has always lived in Shepshed and so has a great working knowledge of it and the surrounding area. She has completed her NVQ Level 3 in Sale of Residential Property and enjoys reviewing our properties, maintaining the contact and support with vendors, and undertaking viewings and property inspections.

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Olivia joined Moving Made Cheaper in 2015 to pursue her interest in property and lettings.

Olivia has successfully completed a Level 2 apprenticeship and is currently undertaking Level 3 Diploma in Residential Property Letting and Management.

Olivia’s main role within the company is to look after the lettings side of the business and to be on the front line responding to incoming enquiries.

�eeiattrr Eleanor joined Moving Made Cheaper in 2011, soon after the company opened.

Eleanor has over 20 years experience in estate agency, gained through roles in well respected local agencies as negotiator, valuer and branch manager.

Hannah joined Moving Made Cheaper in 2014 as an apprentice and quickly completed her NVQ Level 3 in Sale of Residential Property. Hannah’s main role within the company is to progress the sales and liaise between vendors, buyers, conveyancers, mortgage advisers etc. and be on the front line responding to incoming enquiries.

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