Soar Valley Life November and December edition

In associa on with

Just Great Music!

Issue 92/93 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

The Flowetr Plan page 4 37 Find the Robin and win a £25 voucher for The Waterside Inn Mountsorrel

6

47 Win! £50 to spend at The Flower Plant in Sileby

56 Win a case of 12 Cra Beers from Wicked Hathern Brewery

COPY DEADLINE FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020: Friday 13th December

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Page 4

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Soar Valley Life Just Great Music!

Soar Valley Life Editors ­ Steve & Mary Johns Adver sing ­ Steve Johns Distribu on ­ Peter Colle Graphic Design Alison Poole Designs www.alisonpooledesigns.co.uk Business Directory ­ page 60 Telephone 01509 813125 Email enquiries Adver sing info@soarvalleylife.co.uk Editorial & Compe ons ­ editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Business and other enquiries ­ info@soarvalleylife.co.uk Website www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/SoarValleyLife Address 1 Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU Copyright © 2018 Fantas c State Limited trading as Soar Valley Life. The Publisher reserves and controls all rights to the work presented in this magazine. Any applica on for any use of any of the work, features, adver sements, quota ons, photographs, images or other work within this publica on must be made directly to the publisher. No part of this publica on may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmi ed, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material in this publica on the publisher can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either editorial or adver sing content, or take responsibility for services provided by the adver ser. It is the responsibility of the adver ser to ensure their advert is correct and up to date at the me of publica on.

General Data Protec on Regula on GDPR: All personal data collected through compe ons or related correspondence in this magazine are destroyed once the winners have been announced. We do not retain personal data.

Gardening Tips with Derry’s & Claire Jones Page 14

Lords and Ladies Quiz Page 31 1

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Sponsored by

Walking

by Trent Lock

Page 44 Sponsored by

Find the Robin compe on

Page 37

Kat Devereux, owner of The Flower Plant High Street, Sileby

Contents Protec ng Your Family’s Inheritance 9 Acupuncture and Me by Sarah Field 11 It’s not too late to plant Tulips 14 Quick Crossword 17 Are you thinking of taking on an employee?

18 Nicky Morgan MP 20 The Time of Your Life 22 Buying Property with a Partner 25 Recipes for Children 27 Cranberry, orange and nut loaf 28 Quiz – Lords and Ladies 31 The Secret History of Ladybird Books 32 The Independent Traveller on Safari 34 Blood Spots 37 Find the Robin 37 Girlguiding goes from Strength to Strength 39 Make a Resolu on, Make a Difference in 2020 39 Spot the Difference 40 Henry Hedgehog’s Puzzle Page 41 Latest Pos ng Dates for Christmas 43 Walking Trent Lock 44 Fungal nail or not?

45 Tracing your Family History 45 A Right Royal Bouquet 46 Win! £50 to spend at The Flower Plant 47 ITB Syndrome (Ilio bial Band) 49 Pre y Christmas trimmings that can harm your pet 50 Astronomy 52 Easy & Hard Sudoku 54 The Wicked Magnificent Seven 56 Short Story – A Busy Year for Best in Show 58 Adver sing Prices 59 Local Business Directory 60 Solu ons and Winners 62

New Astronomy Page this month with the No ngham Astronomy Society

page 52

Recipe Cranberry, Orange & Nut Loaf

Page 28 Recipes for Children Page 27

WIN!

Win a case of Cra Beer for Christmas

Page 56

Business Directory Adverts from only £20 Page 60

WIN!

A £50 voucher to spend at The Flower Plant in me for Christmas

Secret History of Ladybird Books

Centre pages The Wicked Magnificent Seven

Did you know that Soar Valley Life magazine has been voted as the Best Community News publica on in Leicestershire for 2018/19 & 20 by SME News magazine?

Page 6

Soar Valley Life Just Great Music!

Full Steam Ahead!

We’ve sorted out most of the situa ons that arose from our burglary, spent hours on the phone, filled in numerous pieces of paperwork, sent le ers and emails and now await an end to the upheaval.

We know we’ll get none of the precious items returned, they’re long gone; the police detec ve in

charge of the case said that this is en rely usual in cases of this sort. He also said that our trusty delivery van will have new number plates and will be residing with an innocent trader somewhere who is oblivious of its history.

So, we move on, lighter of possessions and a lower net worth (not that we were worth much anyway!) but largely unscathed in life and limb. We both feel that it could have been so much worse, in that no one was physically hurt. We have heard that the low life responsible is awai ng a considerable custodial sentence for other crimes he commi ed as part of the same spree.

So, on to brighter days…

The Steam Clock, pictured above, is in Gas Town, in the city of Vancouver, where we went on the wonderful family wedding get together in August. It chimes every quarter of an hour with steam whistles playing the Westminster chimes and is en rely steam powered from steam

piped from the city council’s hea ng system. Every hour on the hour dozens of people gather to watch and listen to the full rendi on of the strange sounding steam chimes.

On the le you will see your hard working editors on a Canadian reconnaissance mission in Victoria, on Vancouver Island, at Big Bad Johns Micro Pub and Restaurant—well it’s tough, but someone’s got to do it!

On the subject of micro brewing and victualling may we point you to our newest associate on page 56, namely the Wicked Hathern Brewery and The Needle and Pin Micro Pub. You’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the magazine over the coming year…

So, the Big Bad Johns’s are back, then—at Full Steam Ahead!

Steve & Mary Johns

You are reading this because someone delivered it to your door. Would you like to get fit by doing a great service and earn a good wage for spending a few hours in the fresh air?

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Page 7

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Protec ng Your Family’s Inheritance Just Great Music!

Most people hope that their estate will pass on to their children and grandchildren eventually. But this will not happen for many, unless careful arrangements have been made to protect their assets from being taken towards the end of their life to pay for care home fees.

The solu on to help protect your estate is a Will incorpora ng a Property Protec on Trust (PPT). A testamentary PPT can only be executed whilst both partners remain alive. Upon death of the first partner, their Will specifies that their share of the property is placed into trust and names the ul mate beneficiary of this share, normally the children and

grandchildren of the deceased.

The surviving partner, under the terms of the Trust, has the unequivocal right to remain living in the property for the rest of their life.

On the death of the second partner the Trust comes to an end and the property passes to the beneficiaries. As the surviving partner does not own the deceased's share of the property it is fully protected for the beneficiaries, so if the surviving partner requires care, or even remarries, this share of the children's inheritance is protected.

This last point can be of par cular interest to couples who have come together and have children from different partners.

A PPT can help each person in a rela onship ensure that their children inherit their share of the property, while giving their surviving partner the ability to live in the property for the rest of their life. If the surviving partner wants to move to another property they can s ll sell the property and the proceeds be used to purchase a new property; the terms of the Trust remain over the new property.

Kornerstone Wealth Protec on and Legal services will assess your current circumstances and arrange the trust that will provide the best protec on for you, your family and your assets.

Did you know that Soar Valley Life magazine has been voted as the Page 9 Best Community News publica on in Leicestershire for 2018/19 & 20 by SME News magazine?

Acupuncture and me by Sarah Field I first sought acupuncture treatment over 15 years ago. I was looking for a natural, effec ve medicine without drugs and their side effects. Ever since it has been my go­to health care, having received it for everything from stress to knee pain, insomnia to menstrual issues.

Looking for a new challenge and change from my career in the chari es sector, a few years ago I signed up to an Acupuncture degree. My studies of tradi onal Chinese medicine fed my interest and passion for this fascina ng subject.

I am now delighted to be opening my Loughborough clinic alongside my exis ng West Bridgford prac ce.

Seeing breech presenta on babies turn into a good posi on for a natural birth, or an older lady with previous back pain able to hold her grandchild again is an amazing testament to the power of acupuncture for so many health complaints.

See Sarah’s Advert alongside.

Sarah Field

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Mobile: 0780 3135382 www.hassallandsonltd.co.uk Herons Rest, 144 Main Street, Swithland

Page 10

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20 Jubilee Drive Loughborough LE11 5XS www.john-unwin.com We wish all our readers and adver sers a very happy Christmas

Do you adver se in Soar Valley Life? Win Two months’ worth of free adver sing by ďŹ lling in our survey: h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/adver serssurvey/

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Seasoned Hardwood Logs supplied in bags or by the tipper load

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Silver medal award winners at 2012 Chelsea flower show

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I treat them as annuals, as I do not find them to be reliably perennial. I treat myself to new bulbs every year and plant up a couple of large pots for knockout displays in the spring. I like to mix three varie es in contras ng

Page 14

Christmas Trees

colours and it is obviously important to make sure they will be in flower at the same me. I love the Lily flowered types and this year I am looking forward to the orange Tulips ‘Ballerina’ and ‘Princess Irene’ that will contrast beau fully with the deep mauve of ‘Burgandy’. I plant forty­five bulbs in each 40cm diameter pot and layer them in a mul purpose compost with added grit and John Innes 3. If you do not want to look at bare soil un l the spring you can finish with wallflowers or winter flowering pansies.

Other jobs to do • Clear fallen leaves, especially from lawns where if le they will turn the grass yellow, and ponds where they can make the water murky.

• Put grease bands around the trunks of apple trees to halt the progress of winter moths, keen to lay their eggs in the branches.

• Protect the crowns of borderline tender plants such as Penstemons with a layer of mulch such as Strulch.

All of our adver sers receive a FREE web page in our on line business directory – Check them out here: h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/directory/

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• Keep mowing the lawn if temperatures remain mild and the grass con nues to grow, but set the blades higher than in summer to keep the turf healthy.

• Cut back ornamental grape vines to two buds before Christmas, to avoid pruning wounds bleeding.

• Prune roses to prevent root rock.

• Plant deciduous trees and shrubs.

Plant of the season ­ Crab Apples ­ when choosing trees for a small garden, crab apples have to be at the top of the list. They are really coming into their own at this me of year. Most are manageably sized and can be fi ed into small gardens. They all produce enviable displays of blossom in the spring followed by pre y crab apples for autumn and winter decora on. Two of my favourite varie es are Malus x robusta ‘Red Sen nel’ and ‘Evereste’.

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Page 15

Page 16

Get your business ying with an advert in Soar Valley Life

Quick Crossword Just Great Music!

Across 1

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10 Narrates (5) 11 Slumber (5) 12 Arrives at (7) 13 Presen ng (11) 18 Item (7) 20 Mechanical engine (5) 22 Higher up (5) 23 Dealt with (7) 24 Help (6) Answers on page 62

25 Theatre seats (6)

Down 1 Be certain of (6) 2 Wood smoothing tool (5) 3 Crunchier (7) 5 Addi onal (5) 6 Popular sea mammal (7) 7 Withstand (6) 8 Components of recipe (11) 14 Countries (7) 15 Remark (7) 16 Yellow fruit (6) 17 Classifica ons (6) 19 A board game (5) 21 The whole amount (5)

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Soar Valley Life is delivered to homes over an area of more than 110 square miles

Page 17

Are you thinking of taking on an employee?

It’s great that your business is growing and now you need to hire some help, but are you aware of what this entails and what the actual costs are to you?

You must pay your employee at least the na onal minimum wage applicable to their age and automa cally enrol them into a workplace pension if they earn more than £10,000 per year and are aged over 22 or below the state pension age. When they earn over a certain amount you, as the employer, will have to pay employer na onal insurance contribu ons which is a cost to you.

There is also holiday en tlement and statutory payments should your employee be off work through sickness or maternity/ paternity etc to consider.

This is only the very basics so if you would like us to help you calculate the real cost of employing someone please do not hesitate to contact us.

NOTICE – A er the last issue went to press HMRC released an update to the Reverse VAT Charge for Construc on Services sta ng it would be delayed for 12 months therefore it now doesn’t come into effect un l 1 October 2020.

Caroline Dinsmore 0116 230 3973

TAILOR MADE ADVICE SPECIALISING IN: £ £ £ £ £ £

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Call HELEN on 07928 676675 for a free initial no obligation meeting at your convenience, Or email: helen@i-fa.org.uk “Intelligent Financial Advisory Ltd is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA No. 669729” Registered address: Intelligent House, 9 Midland Court, Central Park, © SVL Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4PN www.i-fa.org.uk

Page 18

Since we started in April 2012 more than 1.2 million copies of Soar Valley Life have been delivered!

Paula Reed’s eagerly awaited first book is now available.

Expert advice on avoiding illnesses from Colds to Cancer!

It tells the story of her journey through an abusive childhood, into work as an air hostess, into business, then as a successful Complementary Therapist, Chairperson of the Loughborough Cancer Self Help group and now a published author.

First edi on Paperback copies now available from Soar Valley Life at £10.99 + £2.95 p&p

Please phone Steve or Mary on 01509 813125.

All Major Credit Cards accepted.

A LIFE ON FIRE A Life on Fire tells the story of one of Leicestershire’s best loved and well known businessmen – former president, chairman and managing director of the Great Central Railway, and Chairman of Ford & Slater plc of Narborough Road Leicester.

“Money is life’s fire; an excellent servant, but a terrible master.”

COMPILED BY STEVEN JOHNS

MA

Limited first edition hard back copies now available from Soar Valley Life at £20 plus £3.50 p&p. © Graham Wignall

Bill Ford

Please phone Steve or Mary on 01509 813125.

All major credit cards accepted.

Delivery rounds now available. Email Peter@soarvalleylife.co.uk for and applica on pack

Page 19

Nicky Morgan MP One of the regular fixtures in my calendar is the annual produc on by the Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society. This year’s produc on is ‘Ruddigore’ and runs from Wednesday 6th November to Saturday 9th. Performances, held at Iveshead School in Shepshed, are at 7.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a ma nee 2.30pm performance on the Saturday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 01509 504376. The Society’s produc ons are always highly enjoyable and a real way to brighten a November evening or a ernoon!

Part of my work as an MP is to stay in touch with all the relevant local agencies who we work with on casework but there are also areas of na onal policy and the laws we are considering in the House of Commons that will be of great relevance to their work. So, in the last quarter I’ve held mee ngs with local secondary head teachers, the leadership of Loughborough College, Loughborough University, Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Police and our local clinical commissioning group of GPs.

KEITH URRY & SON High Class Painting & Decorating Since 1995

Telephone:

01509 673898 • 07964 955303 © SVL

And one of the issues I’ve been working on with a number of these organisa ons, but also the Environment Agency, is the flooding seen in the local area a er the excep onally heavy and intense rainfall we have seen. Sadly, homes in Loughborough, Mountsorrel and Sileby have been flooded. This is deeply upse ng for residents and the key is to try to see what caused the flooding and what measures can be put in place to stop this happening again.

MPs are of course con nuing to consider Brexit and all its implica ons. I hope by the me you read this a deal will have been approved by MPs and we will have le the EU and be focusing on the next phase of our trade nego a ons.

Finally, at this me of year we see many local Christmas events, par cularly the brilliant Christmas Tree fes vals. I know how hard people work to make these events happen so I wish all the organisers luck and hope they have great support. I look forward to seeing some of you at our local fes ve events.

Page 20

You are reading this because someone delivered it to your door. Would you like to get fit by doing a great service and earn a good wage for spending a few hours in the fresh air?

Email peter@soarvalleylife.co.uk for details

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Page 21

Cedar House Care Home 249 Station Road, Rothley Leicestershire LE7 7LD

Luxury care home for “We have a local Brownies, pre-school (Sidney Shakers), nursery group (Lilliput Nursery), several schools and outdoor learning centres visiting our home.

The young people are taking part and running activities with the residents as well as sharing what they are learning with the residents, family and friends.”

Who we are

Lisa Stinson, Home Manager

feels like

Home because we care for you like family © SVL

The Time of Your Life “Ge ng older ­ a privilege denied to many,” so the saying goes…

We're a community – residents and carers united by our shared joy for life

And at Cedar House Care Home on Sta on Road, Rothley, a privilege it certainly is.

I recently visited the care home which is situated on the corner of the road to Thurcaston, just 300 yards from Rothley Great Central Railway Sta on. A more idyllic spot to spend the Autumn of one’s life I could not imagine; the sound of steam trains in the near distance every weekend, and on many weekdays in the summer, taking the mind back to olden days when life was, perhaps, simpler.

At Cedar House life is made simple and easy under the cedar boughs for those who live there, with every need catered for. But this doesn’t mean an inac ve life at all; here you can be as ac ve and joyfully engaged as you want to be and with me for peace and quiet when you need.

It’s a wonderful place for families to meet up and then spend a splendid day out in our wonderful Soar Valley, with dozens of things to see and do.

Page 22

“The memories you le behind, remember, Do you remember?

Telephone: 0116 230 3066 Email: lisa@cedarcare.cc www.cedarcare.cc

the elderly in Rothley We are different

Come and have a cup of tea with us

You are always welcome to visit, ring 0116 230 3066 to make an appointment

We think people deserve to be as inspired in old age as they were in their youth Everyday life at Cedar House feels like living at home, but with friends around to help, all in a caring and comfortable community. Even though the ra o of staff to residents is high, you’ll never feel overwhelmed or stuck in an inflexible regime. At all mes you are made to feel wanted, cared for and treated as an individual with all the choices you would want to have as if at home.

Everyday there are different ac vi es to get involved with if you want to: if you take a look on their website www.cedarcare.cc you will see how many things there are laid on for you. I counted more than 50 different categories of ac vi es in the photo gallery from boat trips to pet handling. There are visits from local nursery schools where residents help the infants with all sorts of amazing stuff, especially the recent raising of chickens from eggs to hatchlings and then caring for them un l they’re ready for their lives on the free­range local farm.

Of course, food and dining are a most important part of life here. There are different dining rooms, making

it easy to find the right company and like­minded friends with whom to enjoy your meal mes and a erwards three different si ng rooms to relax in.

The menus are varied and relevant, and all residents are consulted regularly on what they like to eat. Food is cooked on site each day in their own kitchens using local fruit, veg, meat and bread brought in fresh.

Birthday cakes are made by their very own chef, or bought from Rothley’s popular delicatessen, North’s, which is almost next door. From me to me as a special treat, cake and biscuits, cooked by their own residents, are enjoyed.

This li le ar cle can hardly do jus ce to what’s on offer at Cedar House Residen al care home ­ a care home without the nursing ­ so I’ll end by extending an offer that’s made on their web site: “Come and have a cup of tea and a chat with us, we’ll all make you feel very welcome!”

Call Lisa, Karen or Kate on 0116 230 3066.

Collect“Love the dreams has found youmy dream brother, today, Junior remember, ­ and myWill sister's you remember even loonier!” the mes From of your the life?” musical Paul Carousel Anka –by The Rodgers Times of and Your Hammerstein Life 1975

Page 23

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Buying Property with a Partner Just Great Music!

Moss Solicitors are delighted to welcome back Laura Anderson, who returns from maternity leave to resume her role in the Dispute Resolu on and Employment Team. Here, Laura covers some important considera ons when buying property with a partner.

For many, a property is the most expensive purchase that they will ever make, and for understandable reasons people are keen to get on to, and then move up, the property ladder.

This keenness can have a downside however; problems can arise if a couple did not specify at the me of purchase what should happen in the event of a breakdown in the rela onship.

A common issue is if par es contributed unequally to the costs of purchasing the property; if a Declara on of Trust (a document se ng out who owns what share) was not signed at the me of purchase, the assump on will be that the property is owned equally. In the right circumstances, the person who made the greater contribu on can apply to the court for a declara on that they are, in fact, en tled to more than simply an equal share of the equity.

Another problem involves what should happen to the property if the rela onship breaks down. To be able to buy another property, it may be necessary to extract the equity from the jointly owned property. If the par es agree to a

sale, then there may be no difficulty. However if one of them objects, it can be problema c for the other.

Fortunately, there is scope for the person keen to sell to apply to the court for an order compelling the other to co­operate with the sale process.

The law rela ng to property co­ ownership is by no means simple or straigh orward however, and if you would like advice or assistance regarding your situa on, please contact: Laura Anderson L.Anderson@moss­ solicitors.co.uk or Nick Gay N.Gay@moss­solicitors.co.uk

Dispute Resolu on and Employment • Property Disputes • Conten ous Probate • Commercial Contract Disputes • Se lement Agreements • Unfair Dismissal

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out our What’s Onfatal: Pagesiton our courage website –toupdated daily Page 26 “Success isCheck not final, failure is not is the con nue that counts.” Page 26 ­ h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/whats­on/ Winston S. Churchill

Recipes for Children Just Add Pa ence by Kat Gilbert Just Great Music!

Christmas Meringues

4.

Ingredients:

5.

• 2 medium egg whites • 115g caster sugar

Method:

• 2 tbsp mincemeat (we used shop bought) • Sprinkles

Facebook and Instagram @justaddpa ence www.justaddpa ence.co.uk

1. Preheat the oven to 90° fan and line two baking sheets with baking parchment or silicone baking mats.

2. Put the egg whites in a clean bowl (it is best to avoid plas c).

3. Whisk the egg whites with an electric whisk un l peaks

6.

7.

form when the blades are li ed out of the mixture.

Add the caster sugar a tbsp at a me and beat a er each addi on. The mixture should look thick and glossy.

Once all the sugar is incorporated, add the mincemeat a tbsp at a me and beat a er each addi on.

Take tbsps. of the mixture and gently dollop onto the baking trays (you should get around 10) and add sprinkles.

Place in the oven for 1hr 45 minutes and then switch the oven o. Leave them in the oven un l it is completely cooled. We leave ours in overnight and remove the following morning.

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Soar Valley Life is delivered to homes over an area of more than 110 square miles

Page 27

Sweet Recipe Just Great Music!

Cranberry, orange and nut loaf Serves: 8­10 Ready in: 1hr 45mins, plus cooling This simple cake makes a delicious alterna ve to a classic rich fruit Christmas cake. It will keep un­iced in an air ght container for a few days.

Add the icing and fresh cranberry topping on the day of serving.

1

2

3

4

Tip

Preheat the oven to 170C, 150C fan, gas mark 3. Grease a 900g loaf n and line the base and up two long sides of the n with baking parchment.

Ingredients: • 175g unsalted bu er, so ened

Place the bu er, sugar, flour, spice, baking powder and eggs in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk for 2­3 minutes un l thoroughly combined. Fold in the dried cranberries, nuts and orange zest and juice.

• 175g golden caster sugar

Spoon the mixture into the n and level the surface. Bake for 1hr­1 hr 15 minutes or un l risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the n for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

• 3 large eggs

Spread the royal icing over the top of the cake.

Sca er over the sugar sprinkles and fresh cranberries, plus the fresh mint sprigs if using.

Leave in a cool place un l set. Serve sliced.

Instead of the fresh cranberries you could sca er over more fes ve­themed sugar sprinkles and add a dus ng of edible gold spray for a really sparkly finish.

Page 28

• 225g self­raising flour • 2 tsp ground mixed spice • ½ tsp baking powder • 75g sweetened dried cranberries • 50g walnuts, chopped • 50g hazelnuts, chopped • Zest of 1 orange • 1 tbsp orange juice FROSTING • Half of a 400g tub ready­made royal icing • 2 tsp snowflake sugar sprinkles • 75g fresh cranberries • Fresh mint sprigs, to decorate (op onal)

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Page 30

Get your business flying with an advert in Soar Valley Life

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Quiz – Lords and Ladies 1. Which alterna ve name for the Devil literally means “lord of the flies”?

2. Florence Nigh ngale became known as “the lady with the lamp” a er checking on wounded soldiers at night during which war?

3. What word comes a er “first lord of the” to complete the inscrip on on the le er box of 10 Downing Street?

4. Which famous 1949 Bri sh film has a tle that is taken from a line in the poem Lady Clara Vere De Vere by Alfred Lord Tennyson?

5. Which singer is o en referred to as “the first lady of country music”?

6. An anagram of “I am Lord Voldemort”, what was the birth name of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Po er novels?

7. First used to refer to the leading female singer in an opera company, what two word term means “first lady” in Italian?

8. What were the names of the landlord and landlady of the Queen Vic when the TV show EastEnders was first broadcast?

9. What word for a wealthy and powerful business person comes from a word meaning “great lord” that was used as a tle for leaders of Japan?

10. According to legend, only one person spied on Lady Godiva when she rode naked through the streets of Coventry. What two word phrase was used to refer to this person and has come to be used more generally to refer to anyone who gets sexual pleasure from secretly watching others?

Answers on page 62

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Do you adver se in Soar Valley Life? Win Two months’ worth of free adver sing by filling in our survey: h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/adver serssurvey/

Page 31

The Independent Traveller Just Great Music!

The Independent Traveller on Safari In winter, many of our clients head to Southern Africa for some much­needed warmth and for some this will include a safari. So, let’s consider the criteria to use when choosing a safari op on.

First consider the country that meets your needs.

You will need to consider the health requirements of both the specific country and, in many cases, the region in which the safari is located.

Some safari loca ons are, for instance, in Yellow Fever areas. In most cases, if you are over 60, it is unlikely that you will be able to have the necessary injec on. In other areas you may well have to take malaria tablets. For most people this is not a problem but your own medical profile will alert your doctor to any possible issues. The situa on is quite complicated as in many countries some areas are malaria free and some areas require malaria precau ons. Our staff are happy to assist with general advice.

Having dealt with the medical issues, you then need to consider what else you want to do on your

holiday. If you want a beach then several countries meet your criteria. If you want to self­drive and explore then your op ons become more limited. Countries such as Kenya are not in our view suitable for self­ drive.

For me the main considera on is the game viewing.

Safari is all about seeing the game in a natural environment. So firstly, be aware that many of the game parks and private reserves are quite large. Kruger Na onal Park is the size of Wales! That being the case the varia on in the quality of game viewing can be quite extreme. One major influence is whether there is permanent water in the area so that animals are a racted to the area in the dry season.

Target your game choices.

If you are really interested in elephants and that is the whole reason for going then safari op on A might be far be er that safari op on B which would be your best choice if giraffe were your main interest. Again we have several clients whose main target is birds. Let us know and we can help locate some suitable lodges.

Quality guides and rangers.

Picking a lodge with high quality guides is paramount. They are not only there to share their love of the wildlife but to ensure your safety. Currently South Africa has the best structured guide training programme in Africa and by le ng us know your target animals or species we can request guides who are expert in your choices.

Are you travelling with children?

Many safari op ons limit the age at which children can par cipate in game drives. This is done mainly for safety reasons, as with very young children their behaviour in close proximity to wildlife is unpredictable. Each lodge has its own criteria and rules and again our staff will advise a suitable lodge.

Good advice from your travel agent.

Talk to people who have been and know the product. Many of our staff have travelled to the safari areas of Africa; they know the lodges personally and can advise with first­ hand experience.

That way you will get value for money and a safe and enjoyable experience.

The Independent Traveller, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough. LE11 3DF t: 01509 618 800 | e: holidays@uni­travel.co.uk www.i ssouthafrica.co.uk | www.i scanada.co.uk

Page 34

“Don’t leave anything but your footprints, don’t take anything but your memory.”

Epigram at beginning of ‘On Safari’ chapter of the book A Life on Fire by Bill Ford and Steve Johns

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Blood Spots These bright red blemishes, also known as Cherry Angioma or Campbell de Morgan Spots, do not blanch when pressure is applied. They are caused by leaking blood vessels under the skin and while most are flat to the surface of the skin, larger ones can be domed and can even feel quite fibrous to the touch.

More common in men than women and tending to increase with age, they can occur anywhere on the body though

they are most commonly found on the torso. Younger people can also have them and teenagers may find them par cularly embarrassing as they can be very obvious on younger, fairer skin.

Small ones can be amazingly easy to remove, using advanced electrolysis, as a single leaking capillary can be treated in a ma er of seconds. Larger ones can take a li le longer but the blemish is normally completely removed with a single treatment.

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Large Campbell de Morgan Spots

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Seborrhoeic Keratosis before and after treatment

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Find the Robin and win a £25 voucher to spend at The Waterside Inn Mountsorrel See page 16

CONSTRUCTION NEW BUILD EXTENSIONS RENOVATIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS

DESIGN DESIGN DEVELOPMENT CAD PLANS DRAWN PLANNING APPROVAL BUILDING REGULATIONS

Some where in the magazine we’ve hidden a little robin – he may not be as big as this one though.

From your ideas, through the planning and regulations stage to building and completion, we work with you all the way.

If you can find him, let us know where he is and the first correct answer out of the hat after the closing date of Friday 13th December will win.

Send your answer, together with your name, address and telephone number to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU See page 62 for our latest winners!

Psst - it’s not the one on page 6!

Epidermoid cyst before and after treatment

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Page 37

FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING REQUIREMENTS If you’re thinking about flooring…

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Girlguiding goes from Strength to Strength

Just Great Music!

If you know a youngster who is a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger then the chances are that they’ve recently been telling you about the dangers of plas c pollu on to the world around us.

October has seen lots of our units making ‘plas c promises’ including carrying a reusable water bo le, using less cling film in the kitchen or using alterna ves to disposable plas c cutlery. This #FutureGirlActs ini a ve by Girlguiding across the whole of the UK is a result of our youngsters saying how worried they are about the damage that people are doing to their environment.

We have been very lucky to have had a visit recently from adventurer Anna McNuff, as part of her Barefoot Britain challenge.

Our girls were amazed by her stories and thoroughly enjoyed running along barefoot with her.

Anna is truly inspira onal and as an ambassador for Girlguiding, embodies the fact that our youngsters and volunteers always try to do their best in whatever they do.

Local Guide and Ranger units have had the best me enjoying themselves with almost 20,000 other youngsters at the recent Big Gig event. Every year Girlguiding organises awesome pop concerts exclusively for our young

members. Louisa, Donel, Rak­SU and Fleur East headlined the event this year with Adele Roberts and Caspar Lee compering the show.

With all this fun stuff happening for our local units it is unsurprising that almost 100 extra girls have recently joined units along the A6 corridor between Kegworth and Birstall.

This does mean that we need more volunteers to support their units. More volunteers are urgently needed to help out with: • Barrow­on­Soar Rainbows • Barrow­on­Soar Brownies • Birstall Rainbows • Nanpantan Brownies • Shepshed Brownies Units across the area would welcome more help, please visit h ps://bit.ly/35Elfyx to find out how to volunteer locally.

Make a resolu on ­ make a difference in 2020.

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Why not use your hard­earned skills and exper se to help a student achieve academic success with us?

Set your own schedule and work around the important things in your life ­ let us find the clients and take care of the administra ve details so you can focus on your tui on assignment.

The world of educa on is changing ­ come and be part of something special, see your student achieve those "a ­ ha" moments, make a real difference and have fun along the way. Demand for our services is at an all me high, so we need a constant supply of new tutors, especially with the summer exam season fast approaching.

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Page 39

Spot Ten Differences Just Great Music!

Answers on page 62

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year Now in our 15th year, Rothley Park Kindergarten is one of the most modern children's nurseries in Leicestershire perfectly equipped to provide your child with the best care and development in Leicestershire. And that’s not just us saying that. We were inspected on 23rd January 2017 by Ofsted and were judged outstanding in all categories.

Nursery manager Narinder Kaur and her team of professional nursery practitioners deliver a second-to-none childcare service tailored to your child’s individual requirements.

Limited Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year-olds. We also offer full or part-time sessions as required, depending on availability, for all children under the age of 5 years throughout the year and during school holidays.

A warm welcome awaits you – no appointments are necessary as all new and prospective parents are invited to visit us at their own convenience.

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Page 40

Get your business flying with an advert in Soar Valley Life

Answers on page 62

Rothley House Prac ce Quality Vision Care – taking the me to treat you properly ‐ Established for over 20 years we provide the very highest quality eye care in a welcoming house prac ce.

Designer Frames – we stock a wide selec on of spectacles for men, women and children, including fashionable designer brands.

Relaxing Environment – we give you the me and exper se in the privacy of our house prac ce. Our bespoke eye care service and

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Consulta ons from simple prescrip ons to complicated as gma c varifocal designs.

Laser Eye Consulta ons – completely independent and impar al advice following a thorough, no obliga on examina on to discuss with you all the op ons.

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Would youthat like to get fit Page 42 Page 42 “Success is not final, failuresomeone is not fatal: it is the to con nue counts.” by doing a great service and earn a good wage for spending a few hours in theS.fresh air?

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We wish all our readers and adver sers a very happy Christmas

Page 43

This page sponsored by

Walking ­ Trent Lock Walk instruc ons 31/2 Miles 13/4 Hours Postcode NG10 2FY The Trent Lock Pub is close to the River Trent at the end of Lock Lane, off the B6540 in Sawley, south of Long Eaton This walk is very simple to follow, there are no illustra ons un l nearly point 4 and it is basically along the River Trent and back.

Use the car park at Trent Lock. Toilets, 2 pubs and tearoom.

The Trent Lock Pub, a Vintage Inn, is at the start of our Christmas walk

1 Go past the pub to the River Trent and turn right, with the river to the le , all the way to the railway bridge and go underneath to the footbridge on the le .

2 Cross the bridge over the river and turn right, past the lock and up to the road (B6540). Turn right along the roadside path, back over the Trent, to the signpost on the right.

3 Turn right, through the kissing gate. The path bears right, then le along a low embankment, go through two metal kissing gates and con nue, s ll on the embankment. Go through the arch, under the railway and keep direc on over a s le and up a wide enclosed track. Bear le , right of Grounds Farm, through a wide gate and over a s le.

4 Keep ahead, with the hedge le and the golf course to the right ­ beware of golf balls! Join the hard stony track ahead with the hedge s ll le and carry on along the embankment, right of the car park. Cross the hidden s le on to the road.

5 Take the hedged path ahead, le of Mills Dockyard and cross the concrete footbridge over the Erewash Canal. Turn right, along the towpath with the canal to the right, back to Trent Lock, the car park and your vehicle. © Clive Brown All our walks are compiled by Clive Brown You can order any of his walking close to guides from www.walkingcloseto.com See his new book from Bradwell Books Walking for all Ages in Leicestershire & Rutland h p://bradwellbooks.co.uk/walks­for­all­ages­leicestershire­­rutland­581­p.asp

Soar Valley Walk sponsor this month is

HS Foot Care Services see opposite page

Fungal nail or not?

Fungal nail infec ons are common, some mes easily recognizable – some mes not! If infected it’s not life threatening but it is unsightly. Don’t cover them with nail varnish!

Nails can be thickened, discoloured and crumbly.

Many treatments are available – many simply don’t work. Pa ence is needed as the rate of growth of the nail determines how long it takes to treat – maybe over 2 years in severe cases.

Similar is Onycholysis – the nail separates from the nail bed and looks a different colour under part of the nail. O en caused by trauma (maybe too ght shoes) but can also be due to thyroid deficiency.

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Tracing Your Family History

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Migration If an ancestor seems to disappear from records but no death record exists for him or her, maybe he or she emigrated.

Many left the UK believing in a better life elsewhere or simply to escape poverty. For over 400 years, migrants have gone to places such as America, Canada, South Africa and Australia. The earlier their departure the trickier it is to find records. Finding migrants can be complex as they may have migrated more than once, e.g. first to Canada, then to USA. Not everyone who went, remained – some were ill-equipped to cope with the challenge, others missed home and family. Clues to them might be seen in a single child amongst a family recorded in censuses as born abroad. Remember some people were transported, also that people migrated into the UK for diverse reasons.

More about specific kinds of migration next time.

The Loughborough group of the Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society (LRFHS) meet on the third Tuesday of the month at All Saints Church hall, Thorpe Acre Rd, Loughborough, LE11 4LF, open at 6.45pm with refreshments for 7.30pm start.

Meetings: Nov 19 – The Women’s Land Army No meeting Dec Jan 21 – Adrian Hickson © SVL

Email enquiries to jenni@jennidobson.co.uk

Could your business benefit from a Feature Package?

Call Steve on 01509 813125 to discuss

Page 45

A Right Royal Bouquet Kat Devereux’s Story… so far!

My flower story began by fate in 1997. I was 17, had moved to London and stumbled across an advert for a junior florist in a London flower shop. I found out at the interview that they supplied flowers to the Royal Household. Over the next few weeks as I swept the floors and condi oned the flowers I became enchanted by this vibrant new world. I watched the experts intently and ques oned them, ever eager to have a go myself.

A er a year of amazing learning in at the deep end of floristry I returned home to Leicestershire and secured an appren ceship with Tippets of Oadby, and began a floristry diploma at Brooksby college. Here I learnt the basics of the trade, but nothing could beat being let loose in the shop and adding a bit of my own personality

Page 46

to crea ons. I'll never forget nailing my first hand­ ed for an actual customer and the rest was history!

Fast forward 20 years of working in the floristry industry, acquiring a family, 2 dogs, a cat, a lizard and a whole heap of life experience and The Flower Plant was born!

Intensely focused on design, we aim to offer something a bit special; a style that is natural, wild and edgy, yet elegant. Sourcing from the very best the industry has to offer, at The Flower Plant we let the quality of our flowers, plants and cra manship do most of the talking. (I quite like to chat too!)

Floristry is about a en on to detail, having an eye for colour, shape and texture but it's also about being adventurous and taking a risk. Floristry has no rules and crea vity has no limits, so it's exci ng to try new ideas and

Just Great Music!

challenge the tradi onal.

Working with flowers is a unique privilege, not many people are lucky enough to spend each day crea ng such beauty and I genuinely love coming in to the shop each morning.

I love the way that flowers have their own language and the abundance of emo on they can convey. I love design and plants and especially people.

One of the greatest joys, for me, are the workshops we run in the shop, and their increasing popularity is a major factor in moving to our new, larger shop.

The workshops cover hand­ ed bouquets, wreath making and flower crowns, amongst other topics as the year unfolds. They run in the early evenings and are about two and a half hours long—book early though, they do fill up fast!

Fill in our reader’s survey on our website, then like us on our Facebook page and you could win a meal for two at a local pub, go here to complete the survey: h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/readersurvey/

WIN!

£50 to spend at The Flower Plant

8 High Street, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RX 01509 813108 www.theflowerplant.co.uk HOW TO ENTER Find the names associated with Christmas Carols in our Wordsearch below and send your answer, which is a seven word related phrase, together with your full name, address and telephone number, to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU. The first correct answer out of the hat a er the closing date of Friday13th December will win.

Editor’s decision is final. Terms and condi ons apply.

You have to £38 be inper it tomonth win it!+ vat Adver se from

Page 47

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Page 49

Pets By Ann Haldo Just Great Music!

Pre y Christmas Trimmings That Can Harm Your Pets The glitz and gli er of Christmas is so pre y that it’s easy to forget the poten al dangers of our fes ve trimmings, so here are some of the possible hazards that may threaten your pet at this me of year.

Spray snow Spray snow looks very pre y but it does contain chemicals that are harmful to animals. If your cat or dog licks the substance they could suffer from sickness and diarrhoea or other gastrointes nal problems.

Tinsel Tinsel can cause a blockage in the intes nes if eaten, and might

require a trip to the vet to clear the blockage.

Gli er The sparkle of gli er is very a rac ve to pets, but gli er is easily ingested. The ny pieces can also lodge in their eyes and set up a nasty irrita on.

Baubles Glass baubles present a serious danger to pets if broken, and also pose a choking hazard.

Fairy lights Your pet can be electrocuted by fairy lights if bi en through, but there’s also a danger they could become tangled in the lights and be unable to free themselves if they’re alone in the house.

Silica gel Silica gel sachets are very small and your pet may eat them without you no cing. These sachets can cause gastrointes nal upset, vomi ng, and diarrhoea.

Whilst not wishing to diminish the joy of Christmas, it pays to make sure your pets are safe this fes ve season. Many of these trimmings aren’t obviously hazardous but they do have the poten al to cause serious harm. burgesspetcare.com/blog/post.php ?s=2017­12­04­christmas­perils

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Page 51

Astronomy Just Great Music!

Sky Notes for the Christmas Season Welcome to our new look Astronomy page which we now bring to you with the help of Roy Gre on, Vice Chairman and Journal Editor of The No ngham Astronomical Society. Everyone is welcome to a end the Society’s monthly mee ngs which take place at The Gotham Memorial Hall, No ngham Road, Gotham No s. NG11 0HE on the first Thursday of each month. See details at the end of the page.

The Sky in November and December These are among the darkest months of the year, with December 22nd being the shortest day of 2019. At noon on that date the Sun will be only 16 degrees above the southern horizon, compared with more than 60 degrees on midsummer day—hence the cold and dark of winter! Curiously, the earliest sunset occurs around December 15th, a er which the evenings theore cally start to get lighter, whereas the mornings con nue to get darker un l the end of the month, when the latest sunrise occurs.

The movement of the bright planets around the sky is always fascina ng to stargazers, but 2019 has been a par cularly poor year for seeing them. This is because the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn have been a long way to the south (more than 22 degrees south of the equator) and so very low down in our sky. Mars too has been rela vely inconspicuous for most of the year.

But as winter progresses one planet, Venus, will begin to make up for this poor show, and by next spring will be truly spectacular – a brilliant white “star” adorning the evening sky in March and April. Even now, Venus is Mercury (•) lies exactly between Earth (•) and the Sun.. As viewed from Earth, Venus (•• ) lies to the east of the Sun and is therefore visible in the evening, while Mars (•) lies to the west of the Sun and is a morning object. The arrow indicates direc on of rota on

Page 52

star ng to put in an appearance low in the southwest a er sunset. Look out for it, and watch how it grows in prominence as the months go by.

The a ernoon of November 11th provides a special opportunity to see the smallest planet, Mercury, pass directly between Earth and Sun (an event called a “transit”). It will be too ny to see without the help of a small telescope, and in any case NEVER a empt to look directly at the Sun through a telescope. You can find instruc ons for safely observing the transit at www.esa.int/Educa on/Teachers_Corner/Observing_ ps Phases of the Moon for November and December November: First Quarter: 4th November 10.23 GMT Full Moon: 12th November 13.34 GMT Last Quarter: 19th November 21.11 GMT New Moon: 26th November 15.06 GMT December: First Quarter: 4th December 6.58 GMT Full Moon: 12th December 05.12 GMT Last Quarter: 19th December 04.57 GMT New Moon: 26th December 05.13 GMT The Planets for November and December November: Mercury is ini ally close to the Sun, passing inferior conjunc on (in the line of sight between us and the Sun as men oned in the sky notes above as it transits the Sun) on November 11th, but rapidly moves to greatest Western elonga on on November 28th, when it may be glimpsed in the morning sky. Venus is very low in the evening sky beaming out at mag – 3.8 to – 3.9. Mars is in the constella on of Libra and visible at mag 1.8 to 1.7 in the early mornings. Jupiter at mag – 1.9 to – 1.8 is visible in the South West just before sun set. Fainter Saturn at mag 0.5 to 0.6 follows Jupiter and the se ng Sun. December: Mercury is lost in the Sun’s glare. Venus begins the month low in the southwestern evening sky at mag ­ 3.9 and rapidly moves east becoming more easily seen and brightening a touch. Mars at mag 1.7 begins the month just inside the constella on of Virgo in the pre­ dawn sky. Jupiter and Saturn are all but lost in the glare of the se ng Sun. For full sky notes please go to Soar Valley Life website and follow the links to The No ngham Astronomical Society

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Page 54

Get your business flying with an advert in Soar Valley Life

Wishing all our listeners and clients a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

When should you start hearing Christmas songs on the radio?

It’s me for the annual discussion about how early is too early to start hearing your favourite fes ve songs on the radio... It’s a conversa on we have every year when the “Santa” adverts appear on the television and the Christmas lights go on in our towns and village centres.

At Fosse 107, we think December is Christmas… and so that’s when you’ll start hearing the classics, although we may get a li le excited and play a few “fes ve” hits before then!

On Christmas Day, we’ll be coun ng down your all­ me favourite Christmas songs from 4pm. To find out how to vote visit Fosse107.co.uk

Win on the Fosse 107 Advent Calendar All throughout December, we’ve got an amazing prize behind our advent calendar door each day. Tune in to the Breakfast show and call in to get the chance to open the door and win the prize.

This year, even more local businesses from across Charnwood and Loughborough are taking part…

See a list of all the prizes up for grabs at fosse107.co.uk/adventcalendar

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Thank you for suppor ng Fosse 107 your local radio sta on ­ keep listening!

Phone: 01509 350 107 Text: 07572 831 107 Email: studio@fosse107.co.uk Website: www.fosse107.co.uk

In associa on with Just Great Music!

The Wicked Magnificent Seven!

Just Great Music!

At the beginning of the 1800s Hathern had acquired the derogatory tle of being a Wicked and barbarous place. Even back then it was bad news that travelled fastest.

A certain Reverend Phillips from London considered it a worthy challenge and set about preaching to the Wicked infidels and by the 1850s ma ers were much be er and the locals became more orderly and God fearing.

Fast forward to the late 1990’s, when an enthusias c group of Hathern beer lovers were looking for a name for their new micro brewery, in keeping with the trend of the day to give new meanings to old words, the Wicked Hathern Brewery was born —Wicked as in Magnificent.

I caught up with Sean O’Neill one of the original founders on deadline day and here is his story: “The business was always a hobby for us, fuelled by a love of real ale from way back in the 90s. Over 20 years we built the sales, at one point to a business turning over almost £100,000 a year, a feat that we are very proud of. Not bad for a hobby!

We originally brewed in a small garage at the back of one of the original partner’s houses, a dear old friend called John Bagley who sadly passed away a couple of years ago and we very much miss his friendship and involvement in the business; but we cherish the memories of those early years.

When John and his family had moved house, we had to relocate brewing opera ons, so we started brewing our beers at Leek Brewery in Staffordshire. We remain very grateful to Adrian and his team at Leek, and have enjoyed seeing their growth from a small brewer to a mul million pound business, who s ll find the me and energy to support our very small business.

WIN!

Find the bo le of Soar Head beer and win a case of 12 assorted Wicked Hathern Brewery cra beers delivered in me for Christmas Somewhere in the magazine we’ve hidden a bo le of Soar Head beer. It may not be as big as this one though and it is not the ones on this page or on page 6.

If you can find it, let us know where it is and the first correct answer out of the hat a er the closing date of Friday 13th December will win.

Entrants must be over 18.

Send your answer, together with your name, address and telephone number to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU See page 62 for our latest winners!

In 2015 I opened The Needle & Pin micropub in Loughborough, which increasingly takes more and more of my me, along with other business interests.

Alongside this, John Worsfold, our brewer, fetcher and carrier, delivery man, book keeper and all round Man Friday is now approaching his mid 70's and, whilst he is as fit as a flea, there is more to life than Wicked Hathern Brewery.

Although we only produce bo led beers nowadays, which are available direct from us or at the following outlets, we are always interested in new stockists.

Oakley Grange Farm, Hathern Cross Street Stores, Hathern Baxters Tearooms on Baxtergate, Loughborough Bargain Booze, Ling Rd, Loughborough Toothill Stores, Toothill Road, Loughborough The Needle & Pin, The Rushes, Loughborough Manor Farm on Castle Hill, East Leake.

You’ll be seeing (and tas ng) a lot more of the Wicked Hathern Brewery at event evenings at the Needle and Pin over the coming months.

Soar Valley Life will be promo ng brewing days, tas ng evenings and trips to other micro­pubs. A Golden Soar Valley Cra Ale is planned for the New Year and we start off our associa on with a compe on to win a case of 12 bo les of Wicked Hathern Beer all in me to quaff at Christmas!

The Wicked Magnificent Seven

Page 56

Magnificent or what!

Fill in our reader’s survey on our website, then like us on our Facebook page and you could win a meal for two at a local pub, go here to complete the survey: h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/readersurvey/

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Page 57

Short Story By Jackie Brewster Just Great Music!

A Busy Year for Best in Show “Have you displayed it in pride of place all year?” Roy Cheddar, local councillor responsible for overseeing the Village in Bloom award ceremony, op mis cally surveyed Doreen’s chao c living room. “I can’t see it anywhere.”

“It was on the sideboard to start with,” Doreen dithered, looking under the se ee cushions, “but the cat took umbrage so I moved it out of harm’s way.”

“So where is it now?” Roy asked impa ently. Doreen had won the coveted ‘Best in Show’ trophy for her winter­flowering baskets last year. His task was to retrieve that trophy, in order for it to be presented to this year’s winner. He had hoped to be in and out in five minutes.

“I remember!” Doreen straightened up. “I took it down the Feathers to celebrate.”

“You took it to the pub?” Roy raised his eyebrows. “That wasn’t very wise.”

“Then I won the meat raffle.”

Doreen pushed past him into the kitchen. “I carried my chops home in it.”

“And then what happened to it?”

Roy hurried a er her as she opened the freezer door.

“I put it in here.” Doreen rummaged through the freezer, while a bag of peas cascaded onto the lino.

“But it’s a huge silver­plated cup,” Roy said crossly. “You can’t put it in a freezer.”

“Well it’s not in there now anyway.” Doreen closed the door with an icy blast. “I’m sure I used it for my bread sauce at Christmas.”

“That’s not what it’s intended for,” Roy frowned. “You’re supposed to display it.”

Page 58

“I’ve got no me to dust knick­ knacks.” Doreen waved her hand.

“Everything has to earn its keep in my house.”

“A er Christmas, what then?” Roy sighed.

“Follow me.” Doreen opened the door of her downstairs toilet. “I had a flood in here.”

“You used it for a leaky lavatory?”

Roy asked in horror.

“Well it was just the right size,” Doreen nodded, “and the cat had already been sick in it by then.”

“The cat did what?” Roy wasn’t sure if he wanted to see this cup again.

“She’d eaten all the bread sauce,” Doreen shrugged, “and some mes you’ve just got to grab what’s handy.”

“It’s going to need a professional clean.” Roy frowned, wondering whose job that was going to be.

“So what happened a er that?”

“It’s funny you should ask,” Doreen said. “Our Elsie visited with Nanna’s ashes, and there was another cat incident.”

“Of course there was.” Roy considered this cat a menace.

“It knocked the urn over,” Doreen con nued, “so we had to scoop everything up and…”

“Put it in the trophy?” Roy asked miserably.

“Like I said,” Doreen shrugged, “you’ve got to grab what’s handy.”

“Elsie’s got the trophy then?” Roy pulled out his phone. “Shall we give her a ring.”

“Good idea,” Doreen nodded empha cally. “What’s the me difference in Tasmania?”

That was enough; Roy made an execu ve decision.

“It looks like it’s gone for good,” he sighed, opening the front door. “I’ll have to buy a new one. I’m very disappointed in you Doreen.”

Doreen pulled a ssue from her sleeve. “I’m sorry I’ve let you down.” She blew her nose. “I tried to look a er it, but a lot can happen in one year.”

“There, there, can’t be helped.”

Roy so ened. “I’ll get straight back to the office and sort this out.” He waved as he walked down the path, deciding this was a lesson learned: not everyone can be trusted with precious things.

If he’d been paying more a en on he might have no ced the trophy­ shaped dust­free patch on Doreen’s sideboard, or that she didn’t even own a cat.

Fill in our reader’s survey on our website, then like us on our Facebook page and you could win a meal for two at a local pub, go here to complete the survey: h ps://soarvalleylife.co.uk/readersurvey/

Page 58

Leaflet Delivery Service Have your leaflet delivered for only 3 pence each to just one or several of our villages, all the North or South, or to every one of our 40,000+ Soar Valley addresses. Just £30 per thousand.

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We can also print your leaflets at compe ve prices.

WE COME TO YOU AND TALK IT THROUGH. Ring Steve on 01509 813125

Adver sing prices valid from 31st August 2019 VAT to be added to all prices • Minimum booking is two months

Contact our friendly team on 01509 813125 steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Call or email Steve for a copy of our new adver sing informa on pack, with map and village counts.

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Page 59

Soar Valley Life Business Directory Just Great Music!

Tel No

Get No ced by 40,000 homes in Charnwood for

£20

per month plus vat Tel No

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Accountants Baker & Co Accountants 0116 264 0889 CP Accountancy Ltd 0116 230 3973 Aerials Delta Aerials 01509 768 831 Hassall Aerials 01509 412 446 Appliance Repair Ovencare Cooker Repair 01509 434 019 Beauty Liberty Hall 01509 890 500 Building & Planning BDI Design and Construct 07877 523 669 / 01509 814 126 Care Homes Cedar House Care Home Ltd 0116 230 3066 Carpentry & Joinery Simon Hewi Joinery 0797 087 5424 Carpets Carpets of Choice 0116 267 2853 Cleaning

54 18 57 20 57 21

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Dusters Cleaning Services

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Educa on Rothley Park Kindergarten 0116 230 3888 / 0781 302 1410 Tutor Doctor ­ In Home Tutoring 01509 767 007 Electrical Inter­i­care Gas & Electrical 0116 319 2800 / 0774 053 0366 John Unwin Electrical Contractors 01509 236 313 Kneller & Kneller Ltd 0116 287 3404 / 0783 673 4828 Financial Advisor Helen Somaiya 0792 867 6675 Florists The Flower Plant 01509 813 108 Food & Drink The Waterside Inn ­ Mountsorrel 0116 230 2758 The White Horse ­ Seagrave 01509 814 715 Wicked Hathern Brewery 07973 754 236 Furnishings Acacia Curtains & Blinds 01509 821 016 / 0795 161 9046 Ancient & Modern Furniture Restora on 01530 587 537 / 0797 657 1679 Garage Doors Garolla Roller Shu er Doors 0116 340 0635 / 0753 714 9128 Garden Centres Derry's Nurseries 01509 812 815 Garden Design Claire Jones Gardens 01509 881 119 Harrison Landscaping 01509 842 870 / 0789 415 9414

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John A Stephens Builders Merchants Telephone 0115 941 2861 Garden Machinery Red Band UK 0116 360 2601 Healthcare Angel Yard Osteopaths 01509 812 119 Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Ltd 0116 236 6633 HS Footcare Services 0116 210 6413 / 0797 660 8913 Pennie Blatchford Electrolysis 01949 869 699 / 0788 786 5419 Psychic Medium 0797 421 1027

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Swi Fi ed Furniture Bespoke kitchens designed and fi ed Call now 0116 246 0686 Email: andycheater@swi fi edfurniture.com Website: swi fi edfurniture.com See our main advert on page 11

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Soar Valley Printshop

Tebba Kitchens & Electronics Kitchens designed to comple on or supply only – Appliances ­ Television Phone 0116 236 3898 E­mail: info@tebba .co.uk www.tebba .co.uk Dream Doors 01509 212 333 TLC Kitchens 0116 356 0234 / 0789 065 8750 Lawn Care Ar ficial Lawn Solu ons 01509 843 982 Leisure A Life on Fire ­ Bill Ford's Story 01509 813 125 Archery Legends 01509 278 078 Core Aqua cs 0705 065 184 Fosse 107 ­ Just Great Music! 01509 350 107 Great Central Railway 01509 632 323 Legal Services Elvin Moore and Partners 01509 852 454 / 01509 852 195 Kornerstone Legal Services 01509 767 000 /0800 193 7377 Moss Solicitors 01509 217 770 Westminster Law 01509 833 081 Motoring Chips Away Repairs 0116 319 3950 / 0793 265 4138 Musical Instrument Repairs Mr B ­ Brass & Woodwind Specialist 0798 842 7215

Tel No Op cians Inter Eyecare Op cians Ltd 0116 319 2800 / 0800 093 3486 Pet Care Posh Dogs Canine Grooming 01509 767 420 / 0759 259 4000 Plasterers Craig Chamberlain Plastering 0116 287 8535 / 07717 210 791 JS Plastering 01509 815 839 / 0741 528 1036 Plumbing Gas­Servwell Boiler Services 01509 839 272 / 0786 073 5066 Hollydan Plumbing & Hea ng 01509 646 689 / 0774 611 5381 Holme Plumbing & Hea ng Ltd 0800 210 0097 / 0776 761 5741 Prin ng

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Small run/same day prin ng for flyers, leaflets etc Call Steve for more details 01509 813125 Roofing Hart Property Services 0800 865 4278 / 0752 553 6764 Hassall Building & Roofing 01509 412 446 / 0780 313 5382 RSJ Roofing 01509 816 759 / 0797 235 3384 Transport

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ADT

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Taxi Company Telephone 01509 260 000 / 0116 255 5222 See our main advert on page 2 Kinchbus www.kinchbus.co.uk Travel The Independent Traveller 01509 618 800 Tree Surgeons Canopy Tree Services 01509 590 095 JSB Tree Surgery 01509 261 990 Mar n Page Tree Surgeon 01509 414 169 Mathew Jarram Tree Services 01509 649 453 / 0793 427 2484 Windows & Conservatories Absolute Window Solu ons Ltd 0116 231 4976 / 0116 253 8866 Charnwood Windows 0792 550 7281 Hardwick Heritage Windows 0115 855 6010 Whelband Windows 01509 211 990

MUNITY PRINT SERVICE FROM SOAR VALLEY LIFE

advert costs just £20 plus vat per month. Call Steve on 01509 813125 for more details

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Solu ons to Puzzles Just Great Music!

Spot the Difference Answers 6.

1. Snow 7.

2. Flame 8.

3. Yellow Scarf 9.

4. Eye missing 5. Bobble 10.

Dots on blue scarf Leg missing Man's Teeth Finger Ear gone

Lords and Ladies Quiz Answers 1. Beelzebub 6.

2. The Crimean War 7.

3. Treasury 8.

4. Kind Hearts And 9.

Coronets 10.

5. Tammy Wyne e

Sudoku Solu ons

Henry Hedgehog Solu on • Cranberry Sauce • Roast Potatoes • Stuffing • Christmas Pudding • Brussel Sprouts • Turkey

Easy

Tom Marvolo Riddle Prima Donna Den Wa s and Angie Wa s Tycoon Peeping Tom

• The extra word is 'Turnip'.

There are 20 snowmen.

You collect 8 baubles when travelling down the tree.

Quick Crossword Solu on

Hard

Meal for Two Wordsearch Winner

Find the Robin Winner

Congratula ons to Ann Goddard of Shepshed whose entry in our vegetables wordsearch was the first correct answer to be drawn a er the closing date.

The phrase was, “Vegetables are the roots of a healthy diet.” Ann wins a meal for two next year on the GCR Rothley Rose Dining Train.

Congratula ons to Mrs J Mitchell of Barrow – upon – Soar who spo ed our li le robin on page 33 si ng on top of a railway carriage.

See pages 37, 47 and 56 for more compe ons!

Page 62

Mrs Mitchell wins a £25 voucher to use at The Waterside Inn Mountsorrel.

See pages 37, 47 and 56 for more compe ons!

Get your business flying with an advert in Soar Valley Life

WHELBAND WINDOWS LTD NOW IN OUR 27TH YEAR!

Manufacturers and installers of A Rated windows, doors and conservatories, Bi-fold and sliding doors.

Special frames and commercial projects.

New installations carry a 10 year insurance backed guarantee

Unit 6, Festival Drive, Loughborough, LE11 5XJ

01509 211990 E: whelband@btconnect.com

Š SVL

Specialist wind repairs, sealed ow and lock repla unit cement.

Call us now expert advicfor e.

www.whelbandwindows.co.uk