December 2016 - Your Local Ratby, Kirby Muxloe & Leicester Forest East

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The Great British Dog Survey Are we treating dogs like children?

THE FIRST EVER Great British Dog Survey, undertaken by the charity Guide Dogs, has revealed that many owners are treating their dogs like children. The UK’s dogs often share our most popular baby names, are spoilt rotten on their birthdays and get pampered on an almost weekly basis.

It seems the UK really is a nation of dog lovers as we give them the same names as our children. The survey found that Poppy is the most popular dog name overall, as well as being the 5th most popular for baby girls in 2015. When it comes to boys, Charlie is the 2nd most popular dog name and also 5th when it comes to baby boys.

ANDREW LEWIS M: 07504 634 838 E: andy@openboxpromotions.co.uk

It doesn’t just stop with names though as 4 out of 10 dogs get their own birthday present, and thousands more pooches get dressed up over the festive season. It appears the nation’s love of dogs knows no bounds!

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The survey also found that Labrador Retrievers are the most popular UK dog breed, followed by Jack Russell Terriers and Border Collies. The results of the survey make it clear just how much dogs mean to the thousands of owners across the nation. For guide dog owners, their dogs really do mean the world.

Nicola Harvey, a guide dog owner says “If you have lost your sight but want to keep your mobility and independence, I’d advise you to think seriously about getting a guide dog. I can get around with a long cane but I’m nowhere near as confident. When you have a guide dog, you have a friend and a companion.”

OPEN BOX PROMOTIONS LTD T: 0800 6446 150 E: sales@openboxpromotions.co.uk W: www.openboxpromotions.co.uk Open Box Promotions Ltd, 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2HQ

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NEXT ISSUE OUT DELIVERY DATE: Friday 6th January 2017

DEADLINE DATE: Tuesday 3rd January 2017 Deadline and delivery dates are subject to change depending on how far we are ahead or behind.

The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the original advertisers & contributors and do not necessarily represent Your Local or Open Box Promotions Ltd. Open Box Promotions Ltd reserves the right to amend or refuse to publish articles or adverts submitted for publication.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. To see full terms & conditions visit www.openboxpromotions.co.uk/terms

The iconic guide dog service is at the heart of the charity, Guide Dogs has transformed the lives of thousands of people with sight loss by partnering them with a guide dog, helping them take control of their lives and move around freely and independent. Guide dogs mean the world to the people they help and it’s no surprise to see how strongly the British people love their dogs.

As a charity, Guide Dogs helps thousands of people overcome the physical and emotional barriers of sight loss and their work has never been so vital. Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss. By 2050, there could be nearly 4 million. You can read the full survey results here http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/dogsurvey

Looking For New Members All girls welcome from ages 7-10.

Come and learn and earn badges as well as have fun, meet girls that are your age and join in the fun games we have planned for you also choose the games you want to play too.

Your leaders and unit helper are: Brown owl: Angie • Snowy owl: Tracy • Barn owl: Sue • Elf owl: Emily • Arty owl: Lora So come and join us we are at Ratby Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby, Leicester LE6 0JF On a Tuesday evening except on half term.

If you are interested please contact us by Angie : Wigrida@hotmail.co.uk • Emily: emilymayhall2201@gmail.com Please join our winter fair which is going to be held on the 12th November 2016 at Ratby Church Rooms, Church Lane, Ratby, Leicester,LE6 0JF where brownies takes place.

We are always looking for new leaders!

t: 0800 6446 150 • e: yourlocal@openboxpromotions.co.uk • w: www.openboxpromotions.co.uk

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KIRBY MUXLOE LIBRARY AND Thank you COMMUNITY HUB his n hers

We now have a target date in early April for the opening of the Kirby Muxloe Library and Community Hub as it transfers to community management. The Library will close for a week before it opens as a community-managed library whilst refurbishment takes place. We shall then have an opening event.

The Library and Community Hub will of course be run by volunteers from April onwards. We have had a good response to our request for volunteers but more will be needed. If you haven't volunteered yet but would like to, you can pick up a form at the Library and return it to the Library once you have filled it in. Volunteers will be trained and supported. Training will take place during March 2017.

Volunteer roles are flexible, and you can help out as much as little as you like, in one or a variety of roles. There's something for everyone, whatever your interests, experience and the time you have available. You will be joining a friendly and supportive team. By volunteering with our Library, you can develop your skills, meet new people and contribute to your local community.

We shall be holding two drop-in meetings early in the New Year where all volunteers can meet and talk with Steering Group members and clarify any questions they may have. We now need to be getting a clear idea about what activities volunteers would like to undertake and how much time they will be able to give, and when. This is to help us firm up our rotas. The meetings will be held in the Library.

Refreshments will be available. Please do come along. Even if you have not yet volunteered but are thinking about it and would like to know more, we would like to meet you. The dates are:

THURSDAY 12TH JANUARY 5.00 PM - 7.30 PM AND TUESDAY 17TH JANUARY 10.00 AM - 12.30 PM A particular plea: we want to refurbish the Library to become more like a community facility and to brighten it up. We have some money to do this, but none of the Steering Group members are expert in the field of interior design. If anyone feels that they can help with design ideas and colour schemes, please let us know. Any such help would of course have to be given on a voluntary basis.

Kirby Players Present Scrooge The Musical Cries of ‘Bah Humbug’ are ringing in the Players ears at the moment!! No, it’s not that we’ve decided we don’t want Christmas this year it’s because we are busy preparing for our production of ‘Scrooge’.

This much loved musical opens on Wednesday 25th January 2017, (our Sunday matinee performance 22nd Jan is already nearly sold out as I write) and runs till 28th January with a Saturday matinee. So don’t delay, make a note in your next year’s diary and book your tickets now before they are all gone.

Hi my name is Kev Pym I am the manager of Ratby Raiders U13 a new local team who got together at the start of the football season, this year we struggled to get enough players the kids were playing and training in red t-shirts as we had no money for a kit etc. We have slowly got a team together who all want to play football as that’s what it’s all about for us, not winning just playing which is what the FA develop in there coaches.

I took my FA badge a few years ago and have been at Ratby sports for several years now helping local kids learn and progress as young footballers, we are now under new management with a new committee solely set up for all kids from reception to U15, I would like to thank Catherine and Graham who have sponsored the raiders they are a local new business HIS N HERS salon on Station Road, Ratby and there 2 years support just shows how local people can help out kids sport in our village and keep kids who want to play football at our club, as village sport is important to our local community, we are looking for an away kit sponsor if anyone is interested, the club are always on the look out for new players of all ages and with local businesses like HIS N HERS supporting local kids sport this will keep young players at Ratby Sports JFC,contact kevin.pym@me.com

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

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

When all the excitement of Christmas is over and the days look dark and winter seems long, you will have a treat to look forward to. Come down to the Village Hall to see the colourful costumes, listen to the time loved songs and enjoy the wonderful musical that is ‘Scrooge’.

Merry Christmas and a big Thank You to all of our advertisers, contributors and readers!

Without your valuable contributions every month, the magazine would not exist. Looking forward to a great 2017!

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Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.

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.

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Newbold Verdon Jazz Club News

A BEAUTIFULLY decorated concert room at Newbold Verdon Social Club was the venue for the December meeting of Newbold Verdon Jazz Club where Matt Palmer’s Eagle Jazz Band entertained us with a great evening of traditional jazz.

This versatile band played and sang many well known and popular tunes and soon got everyone tapping their feet and getting in a festive mood. It was lovely to see some new faces at the club and we hope they will continue to come in the New Year and maybe bring their friends along.

The first concert of 2017 is on January 6th when we welcome a return of the popular Savannah Jazz Band.

Doors are open at 7.00pm and the music starts at 8.00pm. Only £9.00 entrance fee with drinks and rolls at club prices. Do come along for a great evening’s entertainment.

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We’ve had new run leaders join to help us manage the 180 strong memberships we have now. We’ve also had some of our Run Leaders that have just passed their coaching course, so we can offer our members much more advice and guidance.

Team Anstey – Juniors We are really pleased to announce that as of January 2017, we will be offering training for juniors. So any children from 12 years old that would like to join, this will be happening on a Thursday evening 5pm-6pm – Martin High School, Anstey.

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County Councillors Report Ratby and Groby Division County - Councillor Ozzy O’Shea Tel: 0116 2394 336 or 07808 585 825 - Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com had concerns regarding traffic and the local businesses on Station Road.

Virgin Media Virgin Media launched the ‘Supercharging Local Communities’ initiative earlier this year. This initiative was to promote Virgin Media’s on-going project expansion by finding the top 10 communities where demand for ultrafast broadband service was the strongest, Ratby apparently came 3rd in the top 10 of the communities wanting their service. However since Virgin Media started their work in the village, I have received numerous complaints regarding their works over the past 4 weeks. I have taken up these complaints and have assisted residents where ever I could.

The problem we have is that Virgin Media is a utility company and they are allowed to carry out these works without the County Councils Highways authority. However they have to be carried out in a safe and proper manor. If you have a complaint regarding the works Virgin Media are carrying out Please ring their contact centre on the following telephone number 0800 5196929 and it will be passed to a supervisor to follow up with you. I arranged a meeting with Virgin Media managers and Highways officers, I invited my fellow Borough Councillor Chris Boothby and the chair of the Parish Council. My major concern was the fact that Virgin Media wanted to close Main Street for 4 weeks during the day time including rush hour period. My main concerns was the only diversion route available would have been Dane Hill, I also had Concerns for the local businesses as they survive on passing trade.

Virgin also said they needed to close Station Road for a period of 3 weeks due to the road width and safe working conditions. Again I

We have now had a further meeting and we have now been advised that Main Street will no longer require closing. Virgin state they can use Continuous Sunday working over 5 Sundays incorporating approximately 600 meters of footway micro tubing in the footway. (Start date of Jan 17) Virgin state they will need a team to route prove the existing trunk on Main Street.

Virgin Media state they will need to close Station Road Ratby at its junction with Brook Drive, Through to Taverner Drive, The County Councils Highways engineers agree with the closure due to the width of the road and for safe working. The closure will be for a period of 3 weeks. The closure will start on the 11th February and will operate between 9am and 5pm each day although access will be available for residents and deliveries. The main diversion route through the village will be Main Street/Desford Lane/Left onto Desford Lane.

Kirby Muxloe continue onto Desford Road then right onto Ratby Road. I will give further updates in my January article. I have also visited the businesses on Station Road to update them. Virgin Media will do a rolling repair completing 50 metres of cable and Tarmac each day with the area having been totally completed and opened for use. I can assure residents that I am not happy with such road closures as your County Councillor and I have tried to minimize any inconvenience to residents. However I do not have the authority to override a utility company. I must say Virgin media have listened to my arguments and they have drastically cut the closures they first proposed

Top Christmas crime prevention tips for grown ups Burglaries Please be aware that there has been an increase in burglaries in Ratby and the surrounding villages over the past month. I would advise all house holders to keep their doors locked and a light on. We are all guilty of leaving our back doors and kitchen window’s open when we are at home. It only takes a few seconds for someone to enter your property and steal your wallet or car keys.

Make sure your car and garage is locked.

Don’t let criminals steal your Christmas

White Lining After several requests over the last 6 months I am pleased to say a big thank you to Siobhan at the County Councils Highways department

Watch batteries and straps fitted while you wait All brands Waterproof testing available

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most road’s in and out of the village and give way signs have now been repainted. Should you see any that need redoing or that have been missed please email me.

Below are some Christmas tip from Leicestershire Police

PAUL SOUTHALL Electrical Services 07866 311240 paul@ps-electricalservices.co.uk www.ps-electricalservices.co.uk Castle Road, Kirby Muxloe Leicestershire

t: 0800 6446 150 • e: yourlocal@openboxpromotions.co.uk • w: www.openboxpromotions.co.uk

Top Christmas crime prevention tips for grown ups At home; G Put Christmas presents out of sight G Always lock your windows and doors G Leave a light on in the evening

Your vehicle

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL

Students across the Brookvale Groby Learning Campus showed their generosity this month by supporting this years shoebox appeal. Groups and individuals wrapped up shoeboxes in Christmas paper and filled them with presents to send to children in Africa and Eastern Europe who otherwise, due to extreme poverty, never receive presents at all. In total we sent 89 shoeboxes which in a few weeks time will be travelling all over the world to bring a smile to the face of a very grateful boy or girl! WELL DONE to all involved.

G When you leave your vehicle make sure you lock it G Put your Christmas shopping in the boot G Park in a well-lit area

Out and about G Enjoy your Christmas party and book a cab to get home G Going for a drink? Have fun and drink sensibly G Coming back late? Think of your neighbours

Don’t let criminals steal your Christmas

I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a very Happy Healthy and prosperous New Year.

Remember I am only an Email or a phone call away.

Kind RegardsÂ

Ozzy O’shea.

Working for you

New College-based netball group is looking for new players LADIES ... want to get fitter? Come and play netball with us!

We are a self run group on a Monday night 6-7pm during term time at New College (New Parks) £2 a session. We’re all ages, shapes and sizes. We focus on key skills but mostly play the game. It’s a great way to have fun, get your heart going and get fit! There is no minimum skill required, even if you have never played before, we can teach you!

Please contact Di 07764 788585 or Laura 07808 525176 for more information or just turn up.

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9

GRAFFITI – Art or Vandalism?

Norman Griffiths takes a long look at Short Street

I

F YOU ARE one of the many who catch the bus into Leicester you may well walk from St Margaret’s bus station up Short Street towards the centre.

One side of this narrow street has the rather ugly backs of the Churchgate shops and bars, the other a boarded development site.

Pretty grim.

But recently the graffiti artists arrived and nobbled the whole street from end to end, so it’s now a chaotic blaze of colour. One of the works is less abstract than the rest and most striking. But is it Art or Vandalism?

Some graffiti is very creative, but often it’s in the wrong place, though perhaps not in this instance of a depressing urban landscape. Back in 2013 Leicester City Council spent nearly £100,000 to clean off the work of two graffiti writers and offered a £500 reward to help track the culprits.

Last year ITV news spoke to a Leicester graffiti artist called Ample Aerosolicz who came from a one parent family and difficult circumstances. His mother suffered from a brain tumour when he was 5-years-old and was unable to work after three operations. He started graffiti when he was about 12 years old, attracted by the notoriety and adolescent rebellion.

By the time he was 17 he had just started to get into the more arty side of graffiti, doing full colour pieces, but the trouble became too much so he ultimately gave it

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up. He retained his interest and a few years later started painting again for about 2 years as a hobby, learning and trying to increase his skills and to show a positive aspect to graffiti.

“It was about this time that I was made redundant from work in the engineering industry which was quite upsetting,” he said “and after about 6-9 months of being out of work I decided to make a business out of it. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength over the past 4-5 years. I’ve done various commissions. The work I do with various youth groups provides the opportunity to teach children a positive view of Graf, showing that it’s a good form of expression, and

that it can brighten up run down areas.”

It’s certainly brightened up Short Street though the designs won’t be to everyone’s taste. “This is a privately owned site which was previously subject to lots of graffiti, some of it obscene, and our graffiti team had lots of complaints from retailers near by,” explained a spokesperson for Leicester City Council. “The owner has agreed for it to be used as a legal site for graffiti and I’m told there are far fewer instances of the other type of graffiti in the area now, and our graffiti team has had no complaints about the street’s new look. Therefore I think we can say that there is a place for this sort of street art, as long as the owner of the site concerned has given their consent for it, and in this case it has brightened up part of the city that was previously subject to ad-hoc and obscene graffiti.” So at this site it’s not considered vandalism.

Emma Fitzpatrick, current Chair of the prizewinning Leicester Sketch Club, likes graffiti if there is artistic skill involved and it is in a run down area. “It can add beauty and vitality to a depressing area. Leicester needs more visual stimuli,” she added.

Mark Wilde, who runs watercolour classes locally believes most street artists would not graffiti a listed building but would consider a dull, uninspiring wall in a back alley as usually fair game. The artists can still can get arrested doing it but this is probably part of the excitement. “Street art is pretty much accepted now as a legitimate art form,” he added. “Many

cities are commissioning artists to decorate walls in grey urban areas.

Loughborough commissioned a huge street artwork above the market area and then, strangely, ordered another artist’s work to be removed from another area, even though the shops and residents on the street supported the art staying. So it’s not very clear what’s allowed and what isn’t, legally.”

Commenting on the portrait parts of the graffiti on Short Street he said “Those are striking images indeed. I think that these were done freehand, while some artists, like Banksy and me, use stencils.

Many of the freehand artists don’t think much of the stencil artists as they see theirs as a purer art.”

So it seems quality work in the right environment can be an asset and brighten a dull urban landscape. But in the wrong place even the best may earn the tag ‘Art and Vandalism.’

You can see the ITV report on Ample and his work with young people in Braunstone at http://www.itv.com/news/ central/2015-06-19/meet-theleicester-graffiti-artist-paintingthe-city (or just Google itv graffiti Leicester).

“I would rather show them how to express themselves with a can of paint rather than them going out and expressing themselves with knives or getting into trouble,” Ample said. “If it gives kids something to do and gets them off the streets I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

It’s hard to disagree with that sentiment, but what do you think?

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dŚĞ ŵŽƟŽŶĂů /ŵƉĂĐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ &ĞƐƟǀĞ ^ĞĂƐŽŶ For those who celebrate Christmas, it can be ŐƌĞĂƚ ĨƵŶ͘ /ƚ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ Ă ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ƚĂŬĞ Ă ďƌĞĂŬ ĨƌŽŵ ǁŽƌŬ ĂŶĚ ĞŶũŽLJ LJŽƵƌ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ĂŶĚ ĨƌŝĞŶĚƐ͘

WĞŽƉůĞ ƵƐƵĂůůLJ ĚĞƐĐƌŝďĞ ĨĞĞůŝŶŐ ůŽŶĞůLJ ĨŽƌ ŽŶĞ of two reasons:

• Ƶƚ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƟŽŶƐ ĐĂŶ ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐŝŶŐ ĂƐ ŝƚ ŵĂLJ ĨŽƌĐĞ ƵƐ ƚŽ ƌĞŇĞĐƚ ŽŶ ŽƵƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů • ĐŝƌĐƵŵƐƚĂŶĐĞƐ͘ ^ŽŵĞ ŵĂLJ ĨĞĞů ĂůŽŶĞ͕ ďĞ ĮŶĂŶĐŝĂůůLJ ƐƚƌƵŐŐůŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƐŽŵĞ ŵĂLJ ĨĞĞů ƌĞĂůůLJ ůŽǁ ĂŶĚ ƵŶĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƉƵƚ ŽŶ Ă ƐŵŝůĞ͘ Research shows that there is a rise in divorce ƌĂƚĞƐ ĂŌĞƌ ŚŽůŝĚĂLJƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƌĞƉŽƌƚĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĚŽǁŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐƚƌĞƐƐ ŽĨ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƟŽŶƐ ĨĂŝůŝŶŐ ƚŽ ůŝǀĞ ƵƉ ƚŽ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĂƟŽŶƐ͘ &ŝŶĂŶĐŝĂů ƉƌŽďůĞŵƐ also become real as ‘normal’ life returns. ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ŽĨ ƐĞƉĂƌĂƚĞĚ ƉĂƌĞŶƚƐ ŵĂLJ ďĞ ĂŶdžŝŽƵƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ĂƌƌĂŶŐĞŵĞŶƚƐ͘ ŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ĂŶĚ LJŽƵŶŐ ĂĚƵůƚƐ ĂƌĞ ŶŽƚ ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĂŶĚůĞ ĐŽŶŇŝĐƚ͘ ĞŝŶŐ ĞdžƉŽƐĞĚ ƚŽ ƐƚƌĞƐƐĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŐƌLJ ĂĚƵůƚƐ ĐĂŶ ƌĞƐƵůƚ ŝŶ ĚĂŵĂŐĞĚ ĞŵŽƟŽŶĂů ǁĞůůďĞŝŶŐ͘

:ŽŝŶŝŶŐ Ă ŐƌŽƵƉ Žƌ͕ ŝŶǀŽůǀŝŶŐ LJŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ŝŶ ĂŶ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ŵĂLJ ŚĞůƉ ĨĞĞůŝŶŐƐ ŽĨ ŝƐŽůĂƟŽŶ͘

,ĂǀŝŶŐ ĞŵŽƟŽŶĂů ŚĞĂůƚŚ ƉƌŽďůĞŵƐ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞƐ LJŽƵƌ ĐŚĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĨĞĞůŝŶŐ ůŽŶĞůLJ͕ ĂŶĚ ĨĞĞůŝŶŐ ůŽŶĞůLJ ĐĂŶ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽŶ LJŽƵƌ ŵĞŶƚĂů ŚĞĂůƚŚ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ ůŝŶŬĞĚ ƚŽ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ƐƚƌĞƐƐ͕ ĚĞƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ƉĂƌĂŶŽŝĂ͕ ĂŶdžŝĞƚLJ͕ ĂĚĚŝĐƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ even suicide.

• • •

Loneliness &Žƌ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ĨĞĞů ůŽŶĞůLJ͕ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ƐŚŽǁƐ ƚŚĂƚ ůŽŶĞůŝŶĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŝƐŽůĂƟŽŶ ĂƌĞ ŚĂƌŵĨƵů ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ŚĞĂůƚŚ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ Ă ĐŽŵƉĂƌĂďůĞ ƌŝƐŬ ĨĂĐƚŽƌ ĨŽƌ • ĞĂƌůLJ ĚĞĂƚŚ ĂƐ ƐŵŽŬŝŶŐ ϭϱ ĐŝŐĂƌĞƩĞƐ Ă ĚĂLJ͘ ĞŝŶŐ ĂůŽŶĞ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ĂƐ ďĞŝŶŐ ůŽŶĞůLJ͘ dŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ŶŽƚŚŝŶŐ ǁƌŽŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ďĞŝŶŐ ŽŶ LJŽƵƌ ŽǁŶ ŝĨ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ĐŽŵĨŽƌƚĂďůĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŝƚ͘

dŚĞLJ ƐŝŵƉůLJ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ƐĞĞ Žƌ ƚĂůŬ ƚŽ ĂŶLJŽŶĞ ǀĞƌLJ ŽŌĞŶ ǀĞŶ ƚŚŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ƐƵƌƌŽƵŶĚĞĚ ďLJ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͕ ƚŚĞLJ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ĨĞĞů ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚŽŽĚ Žƌ cared for

/Ĩ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ĨĞĞůŝŶŐ ŚĞůƉůĞƐƐ͕ ƐƚƌĞƐƐĞĚ͕ ƌĞĂůůLJ ĚŽǁŶ ĂŶĚ LJŽƵ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ŬŶŽǁ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁĂLJ ƚŽ ƚƵƌŶ͕ ƚĂůŬŝŶŐ ƚŽ Ă ĐŽƵŶƐĞůůŽƌ ĐŽƵůĚ ďĞ ŽĨ ŐƌĞĂƚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ͘ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ^ƵnjĂŶŶĂŚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƚƌŝĐƚĞƐƚ ĐŽŶĮĚĞŶĐĞ͗

ϱϭй ŽĨ Ăůů ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĂŐĞĚ ϳϱ ĂŶĚ ŽǀĞƌ ůŝǀĞ ĂůŽŶĞ ;KE^͕ ϮϬϭϬͿ ďŽƵƚ ϯ͘ϵ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ƐĂLJ ƚŚĞ ƚĞůĞǀŝƐŝŽŶ ŝƐ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŵĂŝŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ; ŐĞ h<͕ ϮϬϭϰͿ ϲϯй ŽĨ ĂĚƵůƚƐ ĂŐĞĚ ϱϮ Žƌ ŽǀĞƌ ǁŚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ǁŝĚŽǁĞĚ͕ ĂŶĚ ϱϭй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ŐƌŽƵƉ ǁŚŽ ĂƌĞ ƐĞƉĂƌĂƚĞĚ Žƌ ĚŝǀŽƌĐĞĚ ƌĞƉŽƌƚ͕ ĨĞĞůŝŶŐ ůŽŶĞůLJ ƐŽŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ Žƌ ŽŌĞŶ ; ĞĂƵŵŽŶƚ͕ ϮϬϭϯͿ dŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ Ă ůŽŶĞůŝŶĞƐƐ ĞƉŝĚĞŵŝĐ ĂŵŽŶŐ LJŽƵŶŐĞƌ ĂĚƵůƚƐ͘ dŚĞ DĞŶƚĂů ,ĞĂůƚŚ &ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ ĨŽƵŶĚ ůŽŶĞůŝŶĞƐƐ ƚŽ ďĞ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚĞƌ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶ ĂŵŽŶŐ LJŽƵŶŐ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ƚŚĂŶ ƚŚĞ ĞůĚĞƌůLJ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϬ

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^ƵnjĂŶŶĂŚ ZŝĚŐǁĂLJ DE ^;^Ŷƌ ĐĐƌĞĚͿ͕ D W͕ D zW͕ D D d

ƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ůŝŶŝĐĂů ^ƵƉĞƌǀŝƐŽƌ͕ ZĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ ^ĞŶŝŽƌ ĐĐƌĞĚŝƚĞĚ ŽƵŶƐĞůůŽƌ Θ &d WƌĂĐƟƟŽŶĞƌ ŚĂƐ ǁŽƌŬĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ăůů ĂŐĞ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ͕ ŝŶ ƉƌŝǀĂƚĞ ƉƌĂĐƟĐĞ͕ ŝŶ ƐĐŚŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌŬƉůĂĐĞ͘ ^ŚĞ ŚĂƐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ŵĂŶLJ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ LJĞĂƌƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ͘

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Win a month of free Council Tax! Residents in Blaby district are being given another chance to win a month of free Council Tax. The competition is part of the Council’s drive to encourage district residents to ‘Save Time, do it Online’ to change the way they interact with the Council.

Groby Wine Circle Groby Wine Circle is a very sociable group which usually meets on the third Monday of the month at Groby Community College.

Speakers are invited to give talks on a variety of interesting topics after which there is a chance to catch up socially over a drink with a cheese and French bread.

Throughout the year we organise fun nights out such as skittles, quiz nights, meals out and visits, etc.

To be in with a chance of winning all residents just need to set up a Direct Debit to pay their Council Tax and sign up to receive Council tax bills electronically (eBilling.) Participants will be automatically entered into a FREE prize draw with a chance to get a monthly instalment of Council Tax paid for them!

The October meeting, on Monday the 24 October was, as usual, well attended. The Guest Speaker Ian Rogerson who gave us a most interesting talk about his background as a butcher but finally and more interestingly his interest in cheese. Ian bought along many different types of cheese which we could sample. This went down very well with a glass of wine. His talk was punctuated with jokes, stories and anecdotes, all of which made for a great evening.

Direct Debit is the free and flexible way to make automatic payments, with no payment dates missed.

Signing up to receive a Council Tax bill electronically will ensure a notification is received by e-mail when the next bill is available to view.

There was a skittles evening on Friday 11 November at the Red Lion Huncote, followed by a typical pub supper. Great evening out and, for a change the men beat the ladies.

Nicola Lee from Glen Parva, who won back in September, said: “This was a really nice surprise as I never win anything! The call to tell us we had won came at a really good time for us.

“It took me two minutes to log in and register to receive an electronic bill through My Account. I would definitely tell everyone to have a go, if I can win then anyone can!”

Residents who have already signed up to Direct Debit and eBilling will be automatically entered into the draw.

Read more information about the competition and full terms and conditions at www.blaby.gov.uk/council-tax-comp.

Don’t delay! The deadline this competition round is Tuesday 31 January 2017, with the winner announced in February.

In November (Monday 21st) Mike Lee gave us a fascinating talk and slide show about the railways of Leicestershire and how the county made major contributions to the progress of the railway network from the mid 1800’s through to post WWII. It brought back many nostalgic memories of the steam era. Few of us realised that the forerunner of the modern flanged wheel railway system, albeit it a bit crude and based on a simple metal angle track running horse drawn flat wheel carts delivering coal from local pits, was first laid down in Leicestershire.

Our December (14th) meeting takes us out for a Christmas meal at Leicester College (which we still refer to as Southfields). This is an evening which we always look forward to.

Future guest talks include: • Monday 23 January 2017 – Carry on Catering • Monday 20 February 2017 – The Royal Liver Building, Liverpool • Monday 20 March – Lost Canals If you feel you would be interested in coming along or would like more information about our Wine Circle please contact either: Dave Cooper (0116 2392844) or Robbie Grundy (0116 2393853).

Christmas post dates 2016: Posting within the UK: Tuesday 20 December

Charity Whist Drives are held on the 1st Thursday of every month at 7.30p.m at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley.

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day and then tell the other children in the class where they had visited with him. He also told us that he was very impressed with the cakes and drinks in the café. We hope he will visit us again as he made quite an impression on the other customers.

1st Ratby Cubs New Computers A grant of £3,000 from Leicestershire County Council together with substantial donations from 2 Ratby residents has made it possible for the installation of 4 new laptop computers.

Included in the package is BT Broadband on Fibre optic cabling. The intention to become independent of the County Hall system has been achieved with grateful thanks to all 3 donors. Access to the internet is available whether customers use the library laptops or their own Mobile, tablet or computer. And it is FREE OF CHARGE.

Children after school Parents and children are increasingly using the library after school and some are already to be found on the customer laptops starting their homework while they wait to be picked up by their parents. Their work can either be sent direct to the printer or saved on a memory stick.

On Tuesdays students from Groby community college are on hand to read to the younger children.

On one occasion Barnaby Bear, was accompanied in the Crow Pie Cafe by Charlotte Hope and her mother, who gave her permission for the picture to be inserted in Your Local. Barnaby told us that all the children in key stage one take it in turns to look after him for a

The Cubs and their leaders were entertained in the Library during the evening of the 21st November. Ken Hunnybun gave them a tour of the Library and explained the various types of books that can be borrowed and how the system works. They then had a treasure hunt to find various articles in the room after which they were treated to a drink of squash followed by one of the leaders sharing her thoughts about Thanksgiving Day.

Greetings Cards A new addition to our fund raising is greetings cards. This is really a return of cards for sale because customers may remember that they were available before it became a community library.

Book Club A number of people are interested in starting a book club. For those who are not familiar with this, all members read the same book and then meet once a month to discuss it. The meeting will be held in the Ratby Library on a day to be arranged, from18.30 to 20.00, and will cost £1.00. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Anyone interested should call Wendy Deeping on 01162390227 or email witchitawendy@gmail.com.

that could provide some late Christmas fare.

Santa Claus will also be dropping in with gifts for the children. (He gave us special permission to print his picture).

To round the event off from 3.00pm, a group of hand bell ringers drawn from different local groups, will play a medley of carols and other music.

Christmas Greetings I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers for their support and the time they give up to help keep the Ratby library running.

We all thank the customers who use the building for an ever-increasing range of activities whether it is for a cup of tea or coffee, borrowing books, children in the afternoons waiting to be collected by their parents, impromptu meetings or attending the special events. It feels very much as though we are all on a journey together, Thank you

Merry Christmas Ken Hunnybun

Frock swap This event was held to raise funds for Loros.

The idea was to bring unwanted clothes, shoes, jewelry or hand bags for sale or swap.

The event was well attended. Loros was presented with £72.50 and the Library £65.00

Christmas Bazaar On 10th December from 1.00 to 4.00 pm there will be stalls in the library selling a variety goods

Crow Pie Cafe

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Join Glenfield Travel, in partnership with Saga Holidays for Afternoon Tea and a short presentation from our Saga representative who will be on hand to discuss all of your travel needs and answer any questions you may have.

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Wednesday 25th January 2017 - 12.30 – 2.30pm Birstall Golf Club, Station Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 3BB IF YOU WISH TO JOIN, PLEASE CALL US – FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS

GLENFIELD TRAVEL 3 STATION ROAD, GLENFIELD, LEICESTER, LE3 8BT

Tel: 0116 2871608 or 2877207 WEB:www.glenfieldtravel.co.uk ABTA bonded for your protection

CHRISTENINGS, WEDDINGS,LIFE LIFECELEBRATIONS CELEBRATIONS CHRISTENINGS, WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES,CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS PARTIES PARTIES BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, CATERED FOR– –CALL CALLUS USTODAY. TODAY. ALLALL CATERED FOR GOLF & SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS ALSO AVAILABLE.

GOLF & SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS ALSO AVAILABLE. Kirby Muxloe Golf Club

Kirby Muxloe GolfLeicester.

Club Station Road, Kirby Muxloe, LE9 2 EP Station Road,Telephone: Kirby Muxloe, 0116Leicester.

239 3457 LE9 2 EP Telephone: 0116 239 3457 Email: manager@kirkymuxloe-golf.co.uk Email: manager@kirkymuxloe-golf.co.uk Website: www.kirbymuxloe-golf.co.uk Website: www.kirbymuxloe-golf.co.uk 1

1

893

C E N T E N A R Y

1

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Kirby Muxloe Golf Club Kirby Muxloe Leicester LE9 2EP Club Manager Phone & Fax: 0116 239 3457 Club House: 0116 239 3107

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15

Ratby Primary School

Anti -Bullying Week 2016 – Power for Good

Year 4 visit the Sea Life Centre

On Friday 18th November, two Year 6 children travelled to the King Power Stadium for this year’s Anti-Bullying Conference. The focus was on ‘Power for Good’ and it was an opportunity for people to discuss great examples of how they are ending discrimination.

Year 4 have recently visited the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, as part of their Blue Abyss topic. The day was full of excitement as the children studied many different varieties and species of fish along with a guided tour of the centre.

We spent time working with various professionals, including award winning

British writer and spoken work artist Toby Campion. In this session we looked at illustrations and wrote a poem that described how bad bullying can be. Filbert the Fox was also on hand to support the cause along with various others agencies and organisations. It was a great chance to support a worthwhile cause and we pledged to use our #PowerforGood hashtag to stop bullying.

By Isabelle and George.

The Remembrance Assembly and

War Memorial

On Friday the 11th of November, Year 6 preformed their very own

All of Year 6 took part in the assembly,

using

Remembrance Assembly.

work we had been doing as part of our Fallen Fields topic. We rehearsed the assembly as many times as possible before the real event, as it is a really

important assembly to get right! All of the year 6s worked hard to make their

very own poem, as well as the teachers who put all their effort into helping

us learn some songs. We performed 2 other poems called ‘In Flanders’ Fields’

a Poppy’

were amazingly

as the other

and ‘Why Wear which great as well children who performed advert

well too.

Everyone

watched the Sainsbury’s

Touching a star fish was probably the highlight of the day from World for most of the children though as they had chance to hold War 1 showing the two sides playing football at Christmas. After the assembly, we went down to the War Memorial outside the school at this beautiful creature. Back at school and it was chance to 11am for the 2 minutes silence. prepare our bioluminescent sea creature exhibition ready for our parents and other children in school to see. What a Mckenzie

Maddy & fantastic day and a fabulous topic!

16

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News....

Foundation Stage Reading Stay and Play

Children in Need On Friday 18th November 2016, the children of Ratby

Primary School faced a ‘spot-apocalypse’ as we

celebrated this sensational event wearing fabulous,

bright colours and patterns. To raise money, we all brought in a £1.00 donation

and raised an amazing Also,

donated an extra 20p, we had

£422.60! if we the pleasure of eating

a scrumptious

Pudsey bear

biscuit that our outstanding cooks made. This

year we went all out to raise money for this ‘spotacular’ event – well done everyone!

By Daisy and Emily (Venus, Year 5)

On Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November the Foundation Stage opened their doors for a special ‘Stay and Play’. The session was focused around reading skills and different ways to assess reading through a variety of activities.

The teachers began with a whole class guided reading session using the book ‘How Turtle Got His Shell’ looking at how to retrieve and interrupt a text. The children then worked their way through a carousel of eight different reading activities with their friends and parents focusing on a range of reading skills. They included, retelling a story, odd one out rhyming strings and even a phoneme picnic!

The children had a brilliant time showing their skills and from the parent feedback the parents enjoyed it just as much. Many thanks to those that came and we look forward to seeing you in the Spring term for another Stay and Play!

Job Vacancies Community Care Workers Wanted Kirby Care Ltd is a home care company, offering personal and domestic assistance to people who wish to remain living independently in their own homes.

We are looking to recruit full time, part time, day, evening, and weekend community care workers who are friendly, professional and motivated. You will work in Kirby Muxloe and the surrounding areas as part of a fantastic, friendly and supportive team.

We are offering competitive rates of pay and job satisfaction. Previous experience is desirable, but not mandatory, as training will be provided. So if you are an experienced carer or looking for a career change, Kirby Care is the company for you.

You will need to be eligible to work in the UK, hold a full driving licence and have your own car. Any job offer will be subject to an enhanced DBS check in order to work with vulnerable adults.

Please contact us for details on how to apply or for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Fiona Charlton 07596 922667

Donna Smith 07505 015624

kirbycare@hotmail.co.uk

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OPENING TIMES: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm Merry Christmas from all at Groby Post Office

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Kirby Muxloe Sports & Village Club Bring the children to see Santa again!

He will be coming between 5.30 & 7pm to give out his sweets.

Santa will also give all children a surprise gift.

There will be Christmas background music for the kids, together with more contemporary music later for the adults.

BAR OPEN 5-11:30pm Ratby Lane, Kirby Muxloe

Tel: 0116 239 3201

Free Entry

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Santa Is On His Way… Look out for a visit close to you!

CHRISTMAS is on its way and it won’t be long before Santa is about and about in our area doing a few test runs on his sleigh to check that all is in good mechanical order before the big night!

Santa will be out and about with Bradgate Rotary Club on the following early evenings hoping to meet lots of children, their parents and grandparents • 14th December 2016: Santa Visits Ratby, starting and finishing at the Bull’s Head Pub • 22nd December 2016 : Santa is in Groby starting at the Stamford Arms and visiting surrounding roads.

Look out for his stop sign appearing nearer the time around his route – it will let you know more precise times of arrival!

Ho Ho Ho!

Latest News from Ratby Parish Council...

VIRGIN MEDIA Virgin Media launched the ‘Supercharging Local Communities’ initiative earlier this year. This initiative was to promote Virgin Media’s on-going project expansion by finding and deploying to the top 10 communities where demand for ultrafast broadband service was the strongest. RATBY came in the top 10 across the UK, so presumably some residents in Ratby voted for this service!

At the recent Virgin Media public meeting it was assumed that the Parish Council had agreed to the cable installation. The Parish Council would like to put it on record that at no time did it agree to this project, Virgin Media attended the October Parish Council meeting and merely gave a presentation.

At no time was the Parish Council asked to agree to this project.

There have been various complaints and concerns regarding the installation and the proposed road closures. The Parish Council objected in the strongest terms to the closure of Main Street, Berrys Lane, Chapel Lane and Church Lane for 4 weeks. However, the Council was informed by Virgin Media that it was not a request for approval but just a courtesy and there was nothing that could prevent the closures, since Virgin Media was classed as a utility, as is water, electricity, gas etc. As residents will appreciate, closure of these roads would have an enormous impact on the village and cause major disruption.

There has recently been another meeting with Virgin Media, Leicestershire County Council Highways, County and Borough Councillors, local business representative and representatives from the Parish Council to reconsider the Main Street etc., closure in the hope that some other arrangement can take place.

REMEMBER – THIS IS WHAT SOME OF YOU VOTED FOR!!!

CRIMINAL DAMAGE – FERNDALE PARK The wooden kissing gate at the Lockley Close entrance to Ferndale Park has been vandalised. This was noticed by a resident at approximately 11am on Wednesday, 23rd November 2016. A telephone message was left at the Parish Council office at 2.12pm that afternoon, reporting the damage. This matter was subsequently reported to the Police by the Clerk on Thursday, 24th November 2016.

The Parish Council would like to ask for the residents’ assistance in reporting any crime/vandalism directly to the police in the first instance via the 101 service and then reporting any damage to the Parish Council office on 0116 239 0167, or by email: ratbypcouncil@btconnect.com.

The Parish Council wishes all residents a Happy Christmas and New Year!

RATBY PARISH COUNCIL, 13 Station Road, Ratby, Leicestershire LE6 0JQ Tel: 0116 239 0167 Email: ratbypcouncil@btconnect.com

Borough Councillors Report Cllr Ozzy O’Shea Tel 0116 2394336 or 07808585825 Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com

ASB Over the past month Ozzy has taken several calls from residents reporting various issues of damage and ASB. Damage has been caused to a dog bin on Ferndale Park.

Someone has also tried to tear the kissing gate off its hinges at the park entrance on Lockley close and also damaged the fence at this location. We have also received reports of thefts from Gardens on Station Road and cars smeered with dog excrement on Church Lane. Due to these ongoing issues and at the request of residents we have had to remove the waste bin at the corner of Cottagers Walk and Church Lane. Ozzy has

Cllr Chris Boothby Tel 0116 2388301 or 07880 711 222 Email chris.boothby@hotmail.com

arranged a meeting the local LPU police Sgt. We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour. We would kindly ask residents to report any damage, theft or ASB to the police on 101.

The police map problem areas and hot spots and put more resources into those areas.

Ratby Library Christmas Bazaar Ratby Library continues to serve the residents of Ratby and the surrounding area, with a variety of one off events as well as looking after the Library itself. The next event is a Christmas Bazaar on 10th December, from1.00 to 4.00p, with Stalls offering a range

of goods and we are told that Father Christmas will be making an appearance.

We would both like to take this opportunity to thank residents for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a Very Happy Healthy and prosperous New Year.

Remember we are only an Email or a phone call away.

Regards

Chris & Ozzy.

Working for you.

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19

The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group generally meets 6 times a year, and membership is open to all. Visitors are always welcome to all our meetings, which usually take place in St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Main St., Kirby Muxloe and start at 7:30 pm. They are normally on either a Tuesday or Thursday.

Details of the dates of meetings, together with the topics that will be covered, are shown on the notice board in Kirby Muxloe Library.

The next meeting, will be held on Thursday 19th January 2017 at 7:30pm, with a talk

by Peter Tyldesley (Head Ranger at Bradgate Park) entitled ‘History of Bradgate Park Through the Medium of its Colourful Characters’.

Looking back...

Christmas 1940 in Kirby Muxloe Sometimes a newspaper article or a program on the TV makes us think of Christmases long ago. Often a happy time but sometimes with sorrow. Many of us have never experienced living in a country at war, but often our parents, grandparents or other elderly relatives did and many of them live or lived in Kirby Muxloe.

took them home to decorate their living rooms. Sometimes there was a small Christmas tree with old or home-made baubles.

Christmas lights, especially in windows were not allowed, as all windows were covered by black out curtains at night.

This was very important as even a small chink of light could alert passing enemy aircraft.

Church services were held in the Parish Church, but the Free Church was in ruins, so St Bart’s lent hymn books to the Free Church congregation and invited them to join their services. The Christmas bells did not ring in the war years, as church bells were only used to alert the village of an imminent air attack.

Christmas lunch was very different to the extravagant ones we have today, perhaps a home–reared chicken or rabbit if you were lucky, as many people kept these animals in their garden. Some people also kept a pig!

The meal would be accompanied by home grown vegetables, with some sort of pudding to follow. Christmas pudding as we know it today was impossible to make, as dried fruit was not available. There was no longer any chocolate or fruit, as rationing had already begun and most foods were in short supply.

Christmas gifts were kept to a minimum, but

every household tried to have something special for the younger members of the family. Maybe a knitted hat, scarf or gloves to keep out the cold, or perhaps a doll’s house or a model boat hand–made from wood by a caring grandfather. Children worked on home– made gifts for their parents and grandparents – for the men in the family perhaps an empty fruit tin, washed out, covered with a picture cut from an old magazine and filled with pipe cleaners or spills. Almost all men smoked a pipe or cigarettes at that time. For the women, some home–made bath salts or a calendar. In 1940, the most popular gift was soap!

You can see from the picture that the Free Church, prior to the bombing, was a magnificent building, very much “of its time”.

Eventually, in 1953 sufficient funds were raised to replace it, so that today you can see the modern version, simpler perhaps but equally impressive, meeting the needs of its current congregation.

Britain had been at war since September 1939 and on November 19th 1940, at around 8:20 in the evening, the village was hit by two 500 kilo parachute bombs, also known as land mines. One fell on the Free Church and the other a little further down Station Road. In the next few hours, 24 incendiary bombs fell on Blood’s Hill and the surrounding fields. There was chaos in the village, houses were damaged, water mains burst and many people were left homeless.

Christmas was just five weeks later. By that time, many villagers had been able to return to their homes, but some were still lodging with friends or relations. How could they celebrate Christmas with all the uncertainty? Many fathers, uncles and brothers were away fighting in the war. Most of the men who were left were in reserved occupations, such as farming or working on the railways. They were working long shifts, coming home to eat, then going straight back out again to work as Air Raid Protection Wardens or in the Home Guard, helping to keep the village safe.

At school, children made paper chains and

Kirby Muxloe Free Church before the bombing of November 1940

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HURRY PLACES FILLING UP Friday 9th – Rockin Ratbags 70’s show FAST Saturday 10th – Fre eddie Mercury tribute act

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BOOKINGS BEING TAKEN NOW FOR OR CHRISTMAS DAY, NEW YEAR’S EVE VE AND THROUGHOUT DECEMBER R

THE FIELDHEAD HOTE EL MARKFIELD LANE, MARKFIELD, LEICESTERSHIRE LE67 9PS T: 01530 245 545 E fieldhead.markfield@oldenglishinns.co.uk E: fi ldh d kfi ld@ ld lishinns.co.uk

Ladies specialis specialists in:

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S.A.S. LANDSCAPING GARDEN DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE We are a small local, friendly team, happy to carry out all aspects of garden work.

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WIN A MEAL FOR TWO AT THE FIELDHEAD HOTEL M Z D A R E O S G O M I N F M

A B P O M R K N R F C P M D U

H L I R U R U D S A U R D A H

C I N M C S R U A M O G V S E

O T E V G P M S H N E N O H S

R Z N D V I X E N O C U U E T

D E N C F C U P I D I E M R N

Z N U A U M P V H F R G R A D

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S C P S M A N O D D O N N E R

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C I R U F T Z G M M C N A T Z

F N O H D A C R N U M O Z H T

Thanks to our friends at The FieldHead Hotel, Markfield Lane, Markfield who have kindly donated a meal for two to the value of £25.

Find Santa’s 9 Reindeer and send your entries to address below

DASHER - DANCER - PRANCER VIXEN - COMET - CUPID DONNER - BLITZEN - RUDOLF Send your entries to: Your Local 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE9 2HQ Name

Tel:

Address

A £25 food voucher will be given to the winner to spend on food at The Fieldhead Hotel, Markfield Road, Markfield.

The voucher can be used any day of the week and must be used in one transaction. Closing Date 23rd December 2016.

KIDS CHRISTMAS COLOURING

Colour in Santa and his Reindeer and we will select 10 lucky winners to receive a selection box.

Send us your colouring along with your name, age and address before Wed 21st December.

Name:

Age:

Address:

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HEALTHMATTERS Making Sure a Merry Christmas Leads To a Happy and Healthy New Year As party season is drawing near, it comes with a whole host of health problems. Everyone even those disciplined throughout the year make the most of the festive season, with all the eating, drinking and merrymaking. This can take its toll especially with people with chronic medical conditions.

The first to suffer tend to be those prone to digestive or stress-related conditions. People prone to digestive conditions may experience bouts of diarrhoea, indigestion, heart burn, bloating, nausea and vomiting. This can be due to eating spicy foods, eating big heavy meals, eating too fast and drinking excess alcohol.

Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, so you should drink plenty of fluids (small, frequent sips of water), sometimes oral rehydration sachets may also be necessary. Loperamide (available without prescription) is the main medicine used to treat diarrhoea as it has been shown to be effective and has few side effects. Indigestion and heartburn can be treated using antacids such as Rennie and Gaviscon. There are also products available to treat nausea, but speak to one of our highly trained pharmacist first before purchasing them as they are not suitable for everyone.

People prone to stress and anxiety can experience a variety of symptoms. The stress and anxiety bought on by an overload of guests, over-excited children, extra expenses etc. can take its toll on an individual’s overall health. There is evidence that Christmas puts a strain on families. Statistics show that January is the busiest month for divorce lawyers.

Simple measures can reduce the stress and anxiety, such as making time for yourself to relax, doing plenty of exercise as this releases endorphins in the brain and can be uplifting, and having early nights when possible. If there is still a persistent lack of energy, iron supplements or a product like Metatone Tonic may help.

During Christmas most people over indulge and studies by the British Nutrition Foundation have shown that people on average gain 5lb (2kg) in the four-week Christmas period. This extra weight gain can be hard to lose, but a few healthy habits such a brisk walk and snacking on fruit and vegetables rather than chocolate can help reduce this weight gain.

Another common ailment during the festive season is headaches, normally bought on by poor posture, stress, lack of sleep, bright flickering lights and specific foods (e.g. Chocolate, cheese and citrus fruit). Headaches are an inconvenience at any time and sufferers normally want immediate relief. There are a range of effective pain killers available depending on the type of headache. There are also simple and natural measures which are also effective such as menthol balms, sticks or strips applied directly to the forehead. Other things to try include having a warm bath, massaging the neck and shoulders and sitting or lying in a darkened room.

The main complaint after excessive alcohol consumption is the Hangover.

After a night of heavy drinking, the symptoms most people are all too familiar with, can include, headaches, sickness, dizziness, dehydration, diarrhoea and tiredness. If you do experience a hangover, you can take pain killers, antacids, rehydration sachets and drink plenty of water. Eating bananas and kiwis are good as they have high source of potassium which counteracts the potassium lost from the diuretic effect of alcohol.

Things to avoid are caffeine containing drinks (Tea, Coffee, Energy Drinks etc.) because although they give you a temporary lift, they may also cause further dehydration.

All of the above symptoms are readily treatable from the pharmacy and don’t need a visit to the GP. All you need is a well-stocked medicines cabinet to ensure you do not suffer throughout the festive period.

At the Village Pharmacy in Kirby Muxloe we have all of the medicinal products in stock. If you would like any more information on anything mentioned above, please call us on 0116 2387353 or pop in to the Village Pharmacy in Kirby Muxloe, where one of our highly trained pharmacists will be happy help.

I would like to thank all of our customers for their support throughout the year and for helping our small independent pharmacy continue providing services to the community. Without your support we would not be able to do what we do.

Finally, everyone at the Village Pharmacy would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your support.

Your Local Pharmacist

Irfan Kassam

MPharm (GphC) MRPharmS

FREE NHS FLU VACCINATIONS available at The Village Pharmacy Simply call 0116 2387353 or call in NHS vaccinations are available for FREE for certain patient groups.

If you do not fall into the NHS eligible criteria the Vaccination is availbe at £9.99.

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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Can you find the seven differnces in the Christmas picture?

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Year 12 Chloe Gardiner Supporting Cancer Research UK Kids And Teens Awards GROBY COLLEGE STUDENT Chloe Gardiner has finally been given the all clear 14 years after being diagnosed. She was three when she diagnosed with a rare type of kidney cancer called a Wilms’ tumour in March 2002.

Chloe was treated at LRI and had to have chemotherapy before and after surgery to remove one of her kidneys. Ever since then she has had to have annual check-ups but doctors are happy the cancer has not returned and she has been discharged from their care.

Chloe said: “It feels brilliant not to have to go back to hospital.”

Whats On At

Ratby Sports Club Regular Events Every Monday 11.30am – 12.30pm Mature Movers.

A gentle fun and friendly 50+ class.

For more information contact Melanie on 01455 290976 or 07796 432393

Every Monday 6pm-8pm Youth Club. For information contact James on 07887 844727

Every Tuesday

“Cancer isn’t going to be part of my life anymore and I’m very grateful for that.”

Although cancer has been with her almost all her life Chloe said she does not remember much about her time in hospital.

She said: “I remember my nurses and some of the friends I had in hospital but I was completely oblivious to what was going on.

“I found out a few years ago that some of the friends I made in hospital had died which brought home to me how lucky I had been.

“I also remember getting my bravery award, which I was very proud of. I still have it.”

She said: “The scar tissue around the kidney still hurts so it is hard for me to do sports but apart from that I am well.”

Chloe Gardiner is a Year 12 student at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus studying A Level Photography, Performing Arts and Applied ICT and is hoping to go on to study musical theatre or acting.

Chloe is backing the launch of the annual Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Star Awards which recognise the bravery of young people affected by cancer.

7.30pm-11.30pm Crib Night. If you fancy a game contact Steve on 01162 393301 or 07523 334708

Every Wednesday 6pm-8pm Slimming World. For information contact Gemma on 07891 513288

Feature Nights Saturday 10th December We Tried Kylie Five Piece 80’s Band

Christmas Eve Kids Christmas Eve Disco 6pm Start

New Years Eve New Years Eve Party with The 60’s Sound. Ticket only event.

Tickets £12 each includes buffet All feature events unless specified have free entry and are open to non-members.

Did you know The Sports Club room is available to hire for functions?

For further information or to book please contact either Steve James on 0116 2393301 or 07523 334708 or Paula on 07739 010108.

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Severn Trent remind customers to be wary of bogus callers SEVERN TRENT has warned its customers to be extra vigilant after callous crooks claimed to be working on behalf of the company in Leicestershire earlier this week (7 November).

“Lacemakers and Luddites” Talk by Mr Tony Jarram

A customer was approached by a man claiming to be from a drainage company who asked for a significant deposit to carry out work at her home. After paying the deposit, the customer became concerned and contacted Severn Trent which was not involved.

The matter is now being investigated by Leicestershire Police.

Severn Trent is now reminding all customers in the county to check for identification before agreeing to any work at their homes.

Hilary Bennett, head of customer contact at Severn Trent, said: “We can’t stress how important it is for customers to check the identity of the person knocking on the door.

It doesn’t matter how convincing they look, if they work for us they’ll be carrying an identity card and you can check that they’re legitimate by ringing 0345 604 1655.

“We’d also never try to get access to a customer’s house to fix pipes or to fit meters without making an appointment first and, even then, if anyone has any doubts, they should call us to double check.

“Our phone lines are manned 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and our employees fully expect customers to check their identity, either with a card or a call, and they’ll wait while you carry out the necessary checks.”

In addition, Severn Trent would never ask customers to pay for a service on the doorstep, or ask for bank details over the telephone.

The company also operates a doorstep password scheme to help protect customers from bogus callers, find out more here: www.stwater.co.uk/doorstep-password

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Monday January 23 at 7.30 p.m.

An illustrated talk of the of the development of lacemaking from hand made to machine production.

The story is centred on the East Midlands especially Loughborough and its environs. It is a story of invention, migration and destruction and is as full of twists and turns as lace itself. The research for this project started with an exhibition by the Friends of Charnwood Museum in 2007 and has continued ever since with an international following by the descendants of former lace workers. A recent exhibition in Loughborough Library further enhanced the story. Tony will raise several controversial theories relating to the Luddite attack in Loughborough and the reasons why the industry left the town to re-establish in the South West of England and beyond.

Further information Peter Bertram 01162 100 572

Over 1,200 children in the East Midlands to wake up homeless this Christmas SHELTER is launching an urgent appeal after a new investigation conducted by the charity uncovered the harrowing impact of homelessness on families and children in Britain.

• More than three quarters of families said they felt their accommodation was unsafe, with the worst accounts involving exposure to drug abuse, fighting, and strangers sleeping in the corridors.

East Midlands face spending this Christmas homeless and in temporary accommodation, the highest level recorded since 2009, new analysis of government figures shows.

• Every family lived in a single room without any space for the children to play, and over half of parents also had to share a bed with their children.

Alarmingly, the figures also reveal that the number of families living in emergency B&B and hostel rooms across the country has risen by a worrying 18% in just a year, as local councils battle to find homeless families anywhere else that is stable or affordable to go.

• Three-fifths of families had to share toilet and bathroom facilities, often in a poor and unsanitary condition, with other residents.

Fifty years since the housing and homelessness charity was first founded, the country is once again in the grip of a housing crisis. With a new family in Britain becoming homeless every 10 minutes, Shelter is calling on the public to help support its frontline advisers as they grapple with the increasing demand for help from families fighting to stay in their homes.

To shed light on the harsh realities of modern day hidden homelessness, the charity carried out in-depth interviews with 25 families currently or recently living in emergency B&B’s, hostels or sofa-surfing. Some of the investigation’s most shocking findings included:

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• More than two-thirds of families said their room was in a state of disrepair, including reports of mould, broken beds and stained mattresses, as well as more serious hazards like sparking electrical sockets and windows that wouldn’t close.

The investigation also revealed the emotional and mental turmoil of living in these circumstances. 18 of the 25 families interviewed said their children’s mental and emotional health had been badly affected, with accounts of children becoming anxious, isolated from their friends and struggling to sleep. Over half of parents said their children’s development was negatively impacted.

bring heartache to thousands of people in the region. But the sad fact is, fifty years since Shelter was founded, too many families still need our help.

“Almost daily we hear from parents desperate to escape the single cramped room of a B&B or hostel that they find themselves struggling to raise their children in.

Imagine having to eat all of your meals on the floor, share a bed with the rest of your family, or being too frightened to leave your room at night – these are things no parent wants their child to endure.

“That’s why we urgently need the public’s support to help us be there for the thousands of families who’ll need us this Christmas. Join us and together we will not rest until every homeless child has a place to call home.”

To support Shelter’s urgent Christmas appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70555 to donate £3.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “News of the devastating rise in homeless children in the East Midlands will

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Festive Greetings From Sam and all the team at The Beautiful Pubs Collective The Rutland

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Garden