October 2015 - Loughborough Community Eye

LOUGHBOROUGH

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COMMUNITY EYE

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

CARILLON MUSEUM NEEDS YOUR HELP

IN THE GARDEN WITH BEL

Choosing Garden Trees

PILLING’S LOCK MARINA

Please Support Your Local Shops

BRINGING THE ART OF LADYBIRD BOOKS

To The Streets Of Loughborough A KIDS CHRISTMAS FILLED STOCKING

CHRISTMAS CARDS In Aid of Hope Against Cancer A CHRISTMAS WREATH

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Memorial Plaque For The Victims Of The Zeppelin Raid On Loughborough 31st January 1916

LOUGHBOROUGH SHOP MORE LOCAL

Raise £360 For Cancer Research UK

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WELCOME TO YOUR OCTOBER ISSUE As Autumn is well and truly upon us thoughts are turning to Christmas and festive family gatherings. I know that Christmas can be a time of stress and anxiety especially for those of us with large families and for me, as mum to three boys, it’s all in the planning! Lists become my best friend and every hiding place in my house is full of bags and boxes.

This month we have included a fun Christmas cake recipe which is perfect for family parties especially for those with children. Our competitions have also got a festive feel with a miniature Christmas tree up for

THE TREBLE ONE TRUST The Treble One Trust is a local charity launched in May this year

by Leicestershire Police Sergeant, Stewart Sparling, who recently died of Motor Neurone Disease.

Stewart was only 43 when this dreadful disease finally took his life. Having been diagnosed in September 2011, he lived life to the full, making the most of every day with his friends and family.

However, during the latter stages of the disease, it was very clear to Stewart and his family that there was little or no support for the purchase of essential equipment needed to make the already daily struggle that little bit easier.

Through a series of successful fundraising activities and events,

grabs and also a stocking full of children’s gifts!

Bel is helping us get our gardens ready for winter and we also have some lovely events happening across the town so do get involved and pop along to support our local groups.

I spent some time last month talking to shop owners on the outskirts of the town and offering them our support to attract new customers from the town centre. It was so sad to hear quite how many customers are now not walking beyond the centre. Our Shop Local pages will offer low cost advertising

to them and enable you to see the wonderful array of independent shops just outside of the market place.

I hope you all enjoy this edition and I shall prepare your Christmas edition ready for the end of November for you.

Stewart was able to purchase the mobility equipment he so badly needed but he was also very much aware that others were less fortunate and didn't have the support of family, friends or a supportive workplace such as Leicestershire Police.

This prompted Stewart to launch his own charity, The Treble One Trust (named after Stewart's collar number) to help other local MND sufferers in the latter stages of the disease.

Motor Neurone Disease is known as the silent killer as sufferers become unable to speak, eat, walk or even breathe unassisted. Sadly, there is little or no support, particularly in the latter stages when mobility is key to keeping a dignified independence for as long as is humanly possible.

Stewart has naturally left a huge hole in many people's lives particularly his wife, Angie, and two children, Caitlin and Lewis, who are still very much coming to terms with losing their beloved father and husband to this 'silent killer'.

This week marks the launch of a brand new website to help raise awareness of both MND and the charity, so we would be very grateful if you could please promote this as widely as possible.

To find out more please visit: www.trebleonetrust.org

Memorial to the Victims of the Zeppelin Raid on Loughborough 31st January 1916 The Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum and Charnwood Arts have commissioned a new memorial to honour the victims of the raid and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outrage.

The memorial will take the form of a large bronze plaque (40 x 48 inches) the artwork was done by Mr Paul Gent and the plaque will be cast by Taylors Bell Foundry.

The cost will be £6000.00, Loughborough University have already donated £750.00 and the Carillon Museum have given £1000.00 towards the cost but we need your help to raise the remaining money.

Want to help? Then please donate.

Cheques should be made out to ‘Loughborough Carillon Museum’ Or you can donate through Paypal. Use our email address: carillonmuseum@gmail.com please leave your name.

Our postal address is: Loughborough Carillon Museum, C/O John Storer House Wards End, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3HA For further information email: carillonmuseum@gmail.com Loughborough Carillon Tower & War Memorial Museum.

Charity No. 1063039

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LOCAL NEWS

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR HOPE AGAINST CANCER

PILLING'S LOCK MARINA RAISE £360.00 FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK

Whilst I was away cycling in the Alps, Val my wife designed a special Christmas card for Hope Against Cancer based on the Trans-Alpine cycling challenge. All proceeds from the sale of the card will go to Hope. The price is £5.50 for a pack of 10 cards. Please call Guru mobile - 07501725044 or Val mobile - 07739984333 to order.

The 2016 season was a great period for Day-Boat Hire on the River Soar – good weather and no flood days this summer.

Day-Boat rental was busier than ever, with all our 4 vessels, and consequently our Sponsor Boat for CRUK raised a tremendous £360.00 plus Gift Aid (£450.00) for the Charity. Named as a tribute to two past clients of the Marina, who very sadly aren’t with us today, “Jo-Anne” runs as part of the PLM hire fleet & makes a £5 per day donation to CRUK. This has been

£20,000 ADVERTISING COMPETITION PRIZE GOES TO LOUGHBOROUGH Loughborough is the winner of the first Healthy High Streets advertising competition. The competition, organised by Business in the Community and supported by Exterion media, will bring the town a £20,000 share of £50,000 worth of bus advertising to promote Love Loughborough’s Christmas campaign.

Loughborough was one of 14 entrants in total, all of whom are part of Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets campaign. The judging process included representatives from Healthy High Streets partner Boots UK, Exterion Media and also Business in the Community.

Love Loughborough’s Chair, David Pagett-Wright, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote the 2015 Christmas campaign and advertise the superb programme of events planned in the local community, helping to bring people into the town centre and increase footfall and pride”.

The Healthy High Streets programme is a high street regeneration programme, run by the charity Business in the Community, it’s backed by some of the UK’s biggest high street brands Boots UK, Co-Operative Group, Marks & Spence, Santander, EE, Exterion Media and Greggs. A total of 67 towns are currently being supported on the programme.

To find out more about Business in the Community’s high streets work visit www.bitc.org.uk/ healthyhighstreets

CHRISTMAS FLOWER EXTRAVAGANZA

totalled at the season end and passed to the Charity today.

Feedback from users of the boat seem to be showing it’s not only a worthwhile cause but also a favoured boat to rent, being very easy to handle and we have had many beginners experience their first day on the water in “Jo-Anne” For more details about renting a boat for the day see our website www.pillingslock.com or Google “Boat Hire” for your area!

Loughborough Flower Lovers' Club is looking forward to its annual Christmas Open Meeting on Thursday, 19th November, when members of the public are invited to attend for what promises to be a wonderful evening's entertainment, no doubt full of magic and sparkle.

The demonstration of flower arranging, entitled 'A Christmas Wish', will be by Lorena Dyer, an experienced professional NAFAS demonstrator from Coventry.

The event will be held at Our Lady's Convent School, Gray Street, Loughborough, LE11 2DZ, where there is plenty of free parking within the school grounds.

PHOTO: Digital Leaders L to R: Morgan Brett, James Tallett, Poppy Cross, Krista Gabriel, Benjamin Handford, Finley Hollington, Joseph Riley, Jamie Thompson, Georgina Hessey, Benjamin Bridge, Eve Fenwick, Victoria McDermott.

GRACE DIEU ACHIEVE E-SAFETY AWARD Grace Dieu Manor School have been working hard towards ensuring that its pupils are safe online. They have been awarded the Leicestershire E-safety award in recognition of its effective practice and commitment in the important aspect of keeping pupils safe.

The internet plays a key role in the modern world. Grace Dieu have always put internet safety at the heart of the Computing curriculum and promoted and applied the principles of E-safety.

Activities within Safer Internet Day and the Anti-Bullying Week in PSCHE have had a strong focus on E-Safety. In addition School assemblies, competitions, parental communication and Staff and Governor training have all contributed to raising awareness of E-safety.

Digital Leaders from among the pupil body have been appointed

and they play a key role in our E-safety approach by monitoring pupil internet use and moderating the Grace Dieu blogging site.

Digital Leaders are able to apply proportionate sanctions when pupils do not follow the Acceptable Use Policy and have already identified a gaming website that required filtering.

Headmaster, Mr Peter Fisher, commented; “The internet is very much a part of our lives. But those of us in education know all too well the risks and dangers it presents. Educating our pupils and supporting parents about the cyber-world is a fundamental part of the education that schools have to provide. That Grace Dieu’s efforts in this regard have been recognised, that our policies are deemed robust and effective, and that our implementation of these same policies were evidenced as being ‘embedded throughout the School’ by the Assessors is testament to all concerned, especially Mr Knight and Mr Singh – Grace Dieu’s Pastoral Leaders. We are absolutely delighted to achieve this special Award for the School.”

Although the performance starts at 7.30 pm, the doors will open at 6.30 pm to give all those attending time for free light refreshments.

There will also be a tombola and a raffle. The raffle prizes will, of course, be the spectacular flower arrangements produced during the evening.

Anyone who loves flowers or would just like an enjoyable evening out in good company is welcome to come along to our friendly club. There's no audience participation, just sit back, relax, and be entertained.

Tickets cost £8 and are available from 01509 853740, 01509 880099, 01509 842334, or on the door.

GOT AN ARTICLE TO SEND US? We are always on the lookout for local news.

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

LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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Managing Director Michael Parr 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 when we say we will, do the job the customer

requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

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

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LOCAL NEWS

CARILLON TOWER & WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM 1pm - 4.30pm Every day, except Monday - 01509 263370 - carillonmuseum@gmail.com - www.loughborough-rollofhonour.com WHAT’S NEW? I have been to France on a number of occasions on battlefield tours and have, without success, looked for a ‘silent picket’ for our museum.

We do have one, or rather part of one, which has been bent double.

A rather poor example.

I got this (or someone else got it for me) from the trench system at the back of the café (with the owner’s permission) close to ‘Hill 60’ and Mount Sorrel, this is where Major Martin of the 4th Leicesters’ had his HQ. He had been a Director at the Mountsorrel Granite Company before the war so named the position, ‘Mountsorrel’ a name retained to this day although now marked Mount Sorrel, www.mountsorrel. org.uk/about/history/battlej.htmls The silent picket or corkscrew picket as it was sometimes called could be used by wiring parties at night and avoid the noise of hammering in stakes which would invariably draw enemy fire. Also no hammer was needed, a piece of wood or an entrenching tool was passed through one of the loops to screw it into the ground and the loops were then used to support the barbed wire.

Oil-tempered barbed wire was developed during World War I; it was much harder to cut than ordinary barbed wire.

A LITTLE BIT OF LOUGHBOROUGH I have just returned from France having attended the 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Loos. Whilst we were there we visited the small village of Berles au Bois to deliver some bunting they wanted for an event on 11 November. The Association of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment have a close relationship with the village as a result of the regiment’s time there in WW1. A few years ago I gave them an album containing information about the thirty nine Leicesters’ buried in the Church Graveyard Extension including five men from Loughborough.

The Mayor invited us for a glass of wine in the local village hall,

THE NEW TEA TOWEL

CONGRATULATIONS

Last month I reported that we had a new tea towel in stock and was chided for not knowing the creator’s name so here are a few more details. The tea towel features a number of local landmarks, the Carillon, Town Hall, Charnwood Museum and others and is printed on 100% cotton.

Our congratulations and thanks go to museum volunteer Mr Keith Hassell who acted as guide to a group visiting the carillon outside of normal opening hours. Not only did they make a £95.00 donation but went on to spend over £30.00 at the counter. A record!

Commissioned by Charnwood Museum and produced by local artist Helen Rhodes. Helen studied textile design at Loughborough College of Art and Design graduating in 1992. She says, “My work has a unique style. It combines intensely rich colours, textiles and patterns with naïve compositions.”

In the email thanking us for the visit they said, “The gentleman who took us around was superb”.

The photo shows Keith with Radio Leicester’s reporter, Julie Mayer.

Although we are now closed for the season you can still get yours by emailing us at carillonmuseum@gmail.com £8.50 P+P free.

THE ENEMY APPROACHES

Do you know of any outlet where we can sell items throughout the close season? imagine my surprise when amongst the small display of photographs and objects from WW1 there was not only my album but pictures of the Barsby brothers, the carillon, the street that Thomas Marshall lived in (we have his medals) and a picture of L/Cpl Richard Lane, including a photograph of Richard’s scarf, returned to the family and still in their possession Thomas Marshall, Richard Lane and John Barsby were all killed in Berles au Bois. You can find more information about them at: www.loughborough-rollofhonour. com/page92.htm

NEW WEBSITE One of our volunteers, Mr Goff Sargent has been working behind the scenes on constructing a new website. We have the Roll of Honour site LoughboroughRollofHonour.com - Home originally created by Mr Kevin Mitchell and one of the best of its type on the internet. However the carillon and our museum were just one of the many pages on the site.

Blood all around The enemy approaches Bombs hit the trenches The enemy approaches Dying men scream The enemy approaches Death lurks everywhere The enemy approaches

Following discussions it was decided that the museum should have a completely separate site and my thanks go to not only Goff but to Mr Peter Minshall another volunteer who had pushed the idea for some time and Fiona Marshall who runs the Digital Strategies Programme for East Midlands Museums for the advice she gave us.

The new site is: www.carillontower.org.uk Click on it and let us know what you think, anything you would like to see or is there something you do not like about it? Your feedback is vital for Goff to build and improve the site.

There is something else you can do to help, not only visit the site regularly but if you have any connection with a website can you make sure there is a link to our new site.

We wait for fate The enemy approaches Sergeants scream commands The enemy approaches My friends are crying The enemy approaches Gunshots fill the air The enemy approaches The shelling comes to a stop We go over the top.

Edward Hefferman (Year 9)

WE ARE CLOSED The season has ended and we are now closed. However we are always ready to open for organised tours, morning, afternoon or evening. There is no charge although most groups make a donation. Evening visits need to finish by dusk when the park is locked up. If you know of a group then please let them know that we are prepared to accommodate them.

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LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS

BRINGING THE ART OF LADYBIRD BOOKS TO THE STREETS OF LOUGHBOROUGH

Unique BookBenches to celebrate Ladybird Books’ centenary at Loogabarooga Festival

Carillon Court Shopping Centre and Queen’s Park for the duration of the Festival.

Eight unique, hand-painted BookBenches have been specially-produced to celebrate the centenary of Ladybird Books.

They will be installed across Loughborough in Leicestershire as part of the Loogabarooga Festival and will feature the cover artwork of some of the nation’s favourite children’s stories including Shopping with Mother, Cinderella and Bunnikins Picnic Party.

Loogabarooga Festival will take place in Loughborough from 22-26 October 2015 and is based on the theme of ‘incredible illustrations and brilliant books’.

As well as appearances from some of the nation’s favourite children’s authors and illustrators, it will also showcase new and existing illustrated literature for children through a series of workshops, events, readings and activities.

The benches have been commissioned by Charnwood Borough Council and developed

by Wild in Art, one of the UK’s leading creative producers of mass-appeal public art events and education projects. The BookBench sculpture was created by Wild in Art’s Creative Director Chris Wilkinson, and professional artists have designed and decorated eight, which will be located in the Market Place,

Events at the Loogabarooga Festival will include workshops with children’s favourites such as Korky Paul, illustrator of Winnie the Witch; Caroline Holden Hotopf, illustrator of the Adrian Mole books; Nick Butterworth, author/illustrator of Percy the Park Keeper and The Whisperer; Knife and Packer, illustrators of Fleabag Monkeyface; and Steven Butler, author of Diary of Dennis the Menace.

LOUGHBOROUGH COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

Loughborough Endowed Schools and Loughborough Children's choir. Tickets are £6 for adults with accompanied children free. On Friday 20th November at 7.30pm the Festival Concert will feature Loughborough Male Voice Choir and the Singing for Fun Choir.

Tickets are £7 available at the door.

This year will be the 5th festival and we expect to welcome over 3000 people to see the wonderful sparkling trees. Brownies and Guides, Cubs and Scouts, Sports clubs and schools as well as community and church groups are all decorating trees.

On Wednesday 18th November at 7pm the Mayor of Charnwood by turning on the lights will open the Festival at All Saints' Parish Church at the top of Churchgate. This will be followed by a concert with choirs from

Everyone is welcome to the Festival, general opening times are Thursday, Friday & Saturday 19th -21st November at 10am to 5.30pm, also on Sunday 22nd November 11.45am to 5pm. There will be refreshment throughout the day and a Christmas fair as well as a quiz for children. Local schools will sing during Thursday and Friday. Entry to the Festival is £2 for adults with accompanied children free.

People visiting the BookBenches during the Loogabarooga Festival can enter a free competition. All they have to do is share details of with whom they would want to sit on the bench - alive or dead, fictional or real - and what story they would tell them. They can bring an object, a picture or anything that symbolises this person to them.

If they share this and a selfie of themselves on the bench with @ loogabarooga15 on Twitter, they can win their height in books.

Charlie Langhorne, Director at Wild in Art, said “The BookBench has proved to be the perfect canvas through which to unite visual art and reading for enjoyment. We’re delighted artists have brought celebrated stories from Ladybird Books to life on the sculptures and that their work will be inspiring live story-telling events as part of the Loogabarooga Festival.”

Councillor Hilary Fryer, Charnwood Borough Council's Cabinet member

for Open Spaces and Leisure, said “We’re proud that Loughborough is the home of Ladybird Books and these unique benches are a great way to commemorate Ladybird’s 100 year anniversary. Lovers of children’s books and illustrations are in for a real treat at the Loogabarooga Festival with fantastic events including a wonderful We Love Ladybird exhibition at Charnwood Museum.”

For more information and to book tickets for the events at Loogabarooga Festival, visit www.loogabarooga.com The Loogabarooga Festival is organised by Charnwood Borough Council in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Leicester Shire Promotions and supported by Arts Council England, Love Loughborough and Loughborough Building Society.

LOCAL LOCAL ADVERTISERS NEWS

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When The Temperature Drops, Think Curtains!

With the rising cost of fuel bills it makes financial sense to insulate your home.

One way of significantly reducing heat loss is by having a heavy lined pair of curtains at your window. It has been proven that with double glazing and curtains you can reduce your heating bills by up to 66%, so the initial outlay for a new pair of curtains may save you money in the long run!

Interlining is one way of adding insulation.

It gives you an extra layer of fabric between the actual curtain fabric and the lining with the added benefit of allowing them to drape beautifully. An alternative would be to add a thermal lining, which is also suitable for roman blinds. So apart from having a stunning new pair of curtains or blinds at your window, you will be warm and cosy whilst saving money too!

Blackout lining also insulates your room but has the added benefit of restricting light and noise making it ideal for children’s bedrooms or perhaps in a lounge where headlight or security lights may shine through the window. This type of lining is being used more widely now as quality and softness has much improved .

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For more information please contact Acacia Blinds & Curtains on 01509 821016.

Contact Caroline Thompson Telephone 01509 821016 Mobile 0795 1619046

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LOCAL NEWS

Cupcake

CHRISTMAS TREE

Bake to impress with this stunning edible centrepiece - perfect for a Christmas party buffet, or as an alternative to Christmas pudding FOR THE CUPCAKES

METHOD

• 200g butter, softened • 200g golden caster sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 eggs • 200g self-raising flour • 2 tbsp milk

FOR THE ICING

• 300g butter • 525g icing sugar • 3 tsp vanilla extract • Green food colouring • Sweets, to decorate • Large white chocolate star • Edible gold spray • 24-hole mini muffin tin • 48 green mini-muffin cases • Small plant pot or mini bucket (roughly 13cm across the top) • 12cm foam cone (measured across base) • Cocktail sticks • Green paint

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line the muffin tin with the muffin cases. Put half the butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl, and beat until pale and fluffy. Add one egg and mix well. Add half the flour and milk, and mix with a spatula until combined. Use 2 teaspoons to distribute the cake mixture evenly among the cases and bake for 12 mins until risen and golden, and a skewer inserted to the centre comes out clean.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Repeat to make another batch of 24 mini cakes.

While the cakes are cooling, make the icing. Put the butter and icing sugar in a bowl and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla and food colouring, and blend again until evenly coloured. Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle. Once the cakes have

cooled, use a skewer to make a small hole in the base of each cake. To decorate the cakes, pipe blobs of green icing over the surface of each one.

Now you’re ready to start assembling your Christmas tree.

Paint the foam cone all over with green paint and leave to dry – don’t worry about it being too neat. Push the cone into the pot. To build the tree, push a cocktail stick into the base of each cake and press it into the cone.

Continue until the cone is covered in cakes, trying to keep them as close together as possible. You may have some left over, which you can serve alongside the tree.

Spray the chocolate star gold and put on top of the tree, then decorate the rest of the tree with sweets. The cakes will last for about 3 days.

A CHRISTMAS WREATH

Recipe from Good Food magazine, November 2014

A KIDS FILLED CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Who wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

How many points does a snowflake have?

What is the name of the cake traditionally eaten in Italy at Christmas?

What is New Year’s Eve called in Scotland?

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

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

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GARDENING

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Choosing Garden Trees We’ve had a fairly dry autumn so far although it is now cooling off with misty mornings and showery spells. The bonus of this time of year is the soil still has some warmth from the summer and the soil is moist without being waterlogged. It’s the perfect conditions for planting all manner of plants whether they are container grown, loose bulbs or bare-root.

Hawthorn

Crabapples

We’ll soon see trees being offered by nurseries garden centres.

Planted now whilst the weather is favourable, they have the opportunity to establish and settle in before the demanding spring and summer season is upon us.

There are several forms to look out for: Bare-root plants - The term bare-root applies to plants which have been grown in a field for several years before being lifted and the soil removed from their roots. Although this sounds like a brutal treatment, the plants cope perfectly well and you’ll also find that bare-root plants are the cheaper option.

Container grown - Container grown plants are a more widely available option. They tend to be more expensive but establish well and can be a safer option if you’re not green fingered. Look for well rooted plants which look health and have no signs of dead branches or diseases on the stems.

Japanese Acers

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jelly. Or try Malus ‘Golden Hornet’ which has masses of golden fruit in autumn and grows in a columnar habit.

With the options reviewed, what varieties are there available to fit small to medium sized gardens?

Well there are lots to choose from, but I favour the following as they provide several seasons of interest.

Japanese Acers - There are so many varieties of these maples offered by nurseries, each with a different leaf shape, habit or colour. Ideal for growing in pots these prefer slightly acidic compost when planting. Heights vary but most are slow growing and make good trees for small – medium gardens. These are best bought container grown.

Hawthorn (aka Crataegus) - there are some lovely ornamental forms which are hardy, will tolerate less than ideal soil conditions and grow to make dense trees of around 12-18ft. Crateagus ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ has rich double pink blooms in early spring and golden foliage in autumn. Crataegus × lavalleei ‘Carrierei’ has large glossy leaves from March right through to December, white blooms in spring followed by masses of cherry sized orange berries in the autumn – a great tree for small gardens.

Ornamental Cherries (aka Prunus) – There are so many varieties available but I favour the simple forms like Prunus ‘Okame’ which flowers in Feb-March and the large ‘Tai Haku’ which is smothered in very large white blooms in spring. Both have fiery autumnal foliage colour.

It is surprising how the vertical structure of a tree can change the look of a garden. Visit your local centre/nursery to see what catches your eye. Christmas will soon me here so next month I’ll be looking at how to spruce up the home with festive table decorations.

Crabapples (aka Malus) - The popular Malus ‘James Downie’ is grown for its large golden-red fruit which make good Crabapple

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Root-balled plants are also an option. These are grown in a field like the bare-root plants but when they are lifted the soil around the roots is kept intact and then wrapped with hessian to protect it. Root-balling is generally carried out for evergreens rather than deciduous trees. Ensure that the root-balls have not been allowed to dry out at the nursery or prior to planting, otherwise they will struggle to establish and may drop their leaves in spring. So beware!

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12

LOCAL NEWS

“SMILEY AND CHEEKY” JONAH IS THE FACE OF CHARITY CHRISTMAS SUPERDRAW

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, which provides care and support for families from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, has launched its annual Christmas raffle and you could scoop a top prize of £3,000.

Now in its ninth year, the Superdraw helps raise vital funds for Rainbows, the East Midlands’ only hospice for children and young people with life-limited and terminal illnesses. Last year’s Superdraw helped Rainbows to raise over £25,000. By purchasing a raffle ticket, you are helping the hospice to raise the vital funds needed to keep Rainbows running each year.

This year’s campaign is being fronted by Jonah Ward, along with his siblings Lily (8), Adam (6) and Robyn (4). In his short life, two-year-old Jonah has endured 16 operations, suffered a cardiac arrest and will need a heart transplant in the future. But his parents say you couldn’t meet a more smiley, cheeky and loving boy than Jonah.

Before he was born, Jonah was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – this means the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped.

At just a few weeks old, Jonah suffered a massive bleed during surgery. He needed further operations and it became a waiting game for the family as Jonah slowly recovered. His lungs had collapsed and at six-monthsold he was fitted with a life-saving tracheostomy to be ventilated.

As he grows up, Jonah will need to undergo further operations, but until that time, his family live for each day.

His mum, Georgina, said “I couldn’t wish for a better little boy. I wish life was easier for him but he makes the most of what he

has got and he is such a cheeky little boy. He just loves being the centre of attention and making people laugh.”

At Rainbows Jonah can receive specialist care, his parents can benefit from respite support and his brother and sisters are involved in sibling activities.

“Rainbows is brilliant,” said Georgina. “At first we had reservations, but it was completely different to what we had imagined.

We know that end of life care is inevitable for Jonah but at least we know he loves Rainbows. We are really relaxed leaving him and we know he will be looked after by specialist carers and we can spend time with our other children.”

Gill Smitherman, Rainbows Lottery Manager, said “We’re delighted to have Jonah as the face of our Christmas Superdraw this year.

He loved taking part in the photo shoot with his brother and sisters, he just never stops smiling!”

She continued “By buying a Superdraw ticket, not only do you stand a great chance of winning a fabulous cash prize, but you’re also making a huge difference to the lives of so many children and their families. The Ward family are the perfect example of how Rainbows help provide care and support the entire family, not just the child with a life limiting illness.”

“ Love working with Your Local & Community Eye Magazines, content is always interesting and from a business perspective as a regular advertiser, we receive enquiries every time it is distributed proving the readership is certainly there. Thank you to all the team, keep up the good work. “ Mitul Gadhia MARTIN & CO LETTING & ESTATE AGENTS

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The Rainbows Christmas Superdraw will take place on Friday 18th December and tickets, which cost just £1, can be purchased until Friday 11th December.

To buy tickets, visit www.Rainbows.co.uk/superdraw, email lottery@rainbows.co.uk or contact Gill on 01509 638058.

Tickets can also be bought in the Rainbows shops in Melton, Market Harborough, Beeston, Blaby and Matlock.

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LOCAL ADVERTISERS

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PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOPS IN LOUGHBOROUGH Growing up in Loughborough I used to walk into town a few times a week down Wards End and into the town centre. Wards End was the entrance to town and used to be full of busy shops and lots of pedestrians. Sadly that is not the case anymore and as more and more people drive into town it is clear that the retailers on the outskirts of the town are feeling the pinch.

To try and combat this the Community Eye magazine is running a Shop Local campaign and offering very low cost advertising to retailers on the outskirts of town or to businesses run from home, to showcase themselves to you.

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14

LOCAL NEWS

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

BOROUGH COUNCILLOR

T: 01509 262723 E: nicky.morgan.mp@parliament.uk

T: 01509 236971 E: cllr.jonathan.morgan@charnwood.gov.uk

NICKY MORGAN

October sees our first Loogabarooga Children’s Illustrated Literature Festival.

I was delighted to join the organisers and some fabulous pupils at Boothwood Primary School recently to launch the festival’s brochure. There is so much to do and see and take part in and I really hope you can support the festival. Not only are we marking the centenary of Ladybird books but this is a chance to celebrate other great illustrated children’s literature.

As Secretary of State for Education I want all children to read confidently and to love books.

Many of us will remember not only the childhood books we cherished but often it will be the pictures which first persuaded us to open the book’s cover. For more details about the festival please do visit: www.loogabarooga.co.uk The Loughborough Wellbeing Project will be holding its second Wellbeing Cafe on Friday 6 November 2015 from 6pm-8pm at Loughborough Library. Access is via the rear entrance which will be signposted. Their first evening went well and it would be great to welcome more visitors. The age range is 18-30 but this is flexible.

Support workers are welcome to attend with their clients/service users as this may help them coming along for the time being.

LWP hope to be holding another arts session as the group had a great time doing doodle art at

SPORTS PROJECT RECEIVES £107,000 CASH BOOST A project to improve sporting opportunities in Charnwood has been set up after receiving a financial boost. Charnwood Borough Council’s Hit the Street project aims to bring more sport to young people living in the more disadvantaged areas of the borough.The Council’s Sports and Active Recreation Team have been awarded over £100,000 by Sport England to carry out the project which will target people aged 14 – 25.

Councillor Jonathan Morgan, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion said “Where someone lives shouldn’t limit their sporting chances. This project will give us a chance to get young people the help they need to get involved in sport. We are

the first evening! They will also be offering a small range of snacks on a ‘pay what you can afford’ contribution towards the costs.

For more information please email loughboroughwellbeing@ gmail.com I am very pleased that Leicestershire County Council has confirmed the pedestrianisation of Loughborough town centre.

Interestingly the percentage of those supporting the full scheme had increased since the original consultation. The LCC Cabinet document also shows that Loughborough continues to hold its own in a tough retail market and our shop unit vacancy rate is lower than the East Midlands average and consistent with national figures. I know there continue to be concerns about the location of the Lemyngton Street bus stop and the Director of Highways has been tasked with pursing further discussions with the bus companies.

Another issue which concerned residents earlier this year was the cutting of our grass verges. This has also been discussed by the LCC Cabinet and it is good to note their conclusions that there should now be 6 cuts in urban areas, additional resources will be used in the peak growing months and there will be a variable cutting frequency to deal with that peak growth season.

NICKY MORGAN

delighted that the funding from Sport England has allowed us to carry out this important project.”

Hit the Street is one of over 40 projects to secure a share in £8.2 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England. Encouraging people to give sport a go, the fund empowers local communities to reach out to people who for one reason or another don’t exercise.

In total the Council has been awarded £107,000 and the project will benefit from another £69,000 being contributed by the Council and other partner agencies. The project will fund a range of informal sports projects in 10 of the more deprived wards in Charnwood, led by a Neighbourhood Sports Activator.

A council questionnaire, completed by 300 young people, revealed more than half of them thought there were not enough

JONATHAN MORGAN Time to make sense of Councils Almost every week I get contacted by a resident with a query about something in Loughborough that they would like help with, and my initial response is invariably - and to my great frustration - quite vague.

The reason for my frustration is that so many problems raised with me as a Borough Councillor are linked with matters that are either partly or solely controlled by the County Council, and whilst we have some very good County councillors in Loughborough (from both parties), it always feels like a poor excuse not to be able to help directly.

Which is why I’ve become increasingly convinced that it’s time for a change, and that we need to give people a structure that represents their needs and works for them at a local level.

The role of the County Council has changed significantly over the past decade, more so than any other tier of government; many services are now run by Borough and District Councils, or provided by third party groups, whilst in our County most schools are now Academies, independent of the County Council (and may soon all be funded directly, rather than having their budgets ‘top-sliced’ by the County).

The changing role, and slight remoteness to most residents must beg the question as to whether it has the same role in the future. sporting activities available to them in their local area.

The top 10 sports mentioned most frequently were football; dance/zumba; outdoor pursuits (skating, parkour, BMX, climbing); marital arts; cricket; basketball; swimming; team ball games; tennis and athletics/running.

Sport England Director of Community Sport, Mike Diaper, said, “It’s great to be working with innovative projects like Hit the Street, which offer more people the chance to get active in a way that suits them best. Given the overwhelming benefits of being active, it’s important that age, gender, or income never prevents anyone from taking part.”

For more information on Charnwood’s sports and leisure programmes, please visit www. charnwood.gov.uk/sportandleisure or call 01509 634673

Whilst many District and Borough Council’s in the county are small, Charnwood is actually quite large - in fact, it’s not far off being the same size as Leicester, which is a stand alone, single tier body.

Certainly by size, there may be no reason to suggest that Charnwood alone could not also stand alone as a single body, answering residents queries on all aspects, rather than just a few.

A simpler structure would certainly help to bring clarity for residents when they need help from ‘the Council’ - at the moment, that help is spread over two Councils in Loughborough, and three in the villages - it would also bring efficiencies to the way that it works. The current arrangement duplicates many structures - for instance there are Councillors at the Borough and another set at the County Council (and in many instances, the same person is at both, receiving two sets of allowances) with officers paid to support both. Democracy comes at a cost, but that cost should be reasonable and appropriate - it could be argued that the current structure is not cost effective given the long term re-balancing of the economy in the UK. There is a need for a review of what is most appropriate within the County, and for residents to express a view at to what would work best for them. It should then be the responsibility of the Councils and their councillors to respond appropriately. Whilst there are still opportunities for Councils to work together where appropriate, we should be clear that too many, or unclear structures can hinder effective representation.

Loughborough winning East Midlands in Bloom again Once more, a hugely impressive result for Loughborough within the East Midlands in Bloom competition, with the award of ‘Best Small City’ (even though we’re not a city!). The win means that we’ll automatically get entered into next year’s Britain in Bloom awards, which hopefully we’ll win again.

The competition is a great focus for the town each year, and proves that the judges know a good thing when they see it - a fantastic result for all those involved.

JONATHAN MORGAN

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