Soar valley june july issuu

Priceless

Issue 39 June/July 2015

Your award winning

SOUTH EDITION

30,000 magazines

EVERY TWO MONTHS

Deliveries this month to: Barrow upon Soar Mountsorrel Cossington Seagrave Sileby Quorn Rothley Cropston Swithland.

Deliveries next month to Soar Valley North: Loughborough Nanpantan Su on Bonington Long Wha on The Wolds, Zouch, Hoton Cotes, Prestwold Stanford Hathern Kegworth Normanton Wymeswold and Rempstone plus high foo all retail outlets throughout Charnwood

Cook

Barbecued Rack of Ribs Vanilla & Chocolate Panaco a

Garden

Advice from Claire Jones Derry’s Tips of the Month

Walk Grange Lane

What’s On

In and around the Soar Valley

Win

Dry Carpet Cleaning worth £150

“There once was an ugly duckling, With feathers all stubby and brown....”

www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Copy deadline for July Tuesday 30th June

NEW

Style Arch Composite Door Now available in a variety of colours and styles

Manufacturers and Installers of A Rated PVC Windows, Doors and Conservatories

All work carries a 10 year insurance backed guarantee

Celebrate summer with a new conservatory

Bi-Fold doorsle now availab for es conservatori Unit 6, Festival Drive, Loughborough, LE11 5XJ

01509 211990

E: whelband@btconnect.com Š SVL

www.whelbandwindows.co.uk

Soar Valley Life Trades and Services Derry's Nurseries ................................................ 12

Arts and Cra s Loughborough University Arts............................ 43 Manor An ques.................................................. 53

Garden Walkabout 20th and 21st June .............. 16 Green Thumb Lawn Treatment Service ................ 3

My Parcel Shop Art & Cra Materials................... 8

Harrison Landscaping ......................................... 11

The Gallery ‐ Su on Bonington ............................ 7

JSB Tree Surgery ................................................... 9

The Horse Trough Personalised Products ............. 8

Outdoor Solu ons .............................................. 16

Building and Roofing Charnwood Oaks Roofing & Building.................. 16 Hassall & Son Ltd ................................................ 18

Child Care and Educa on Lion Learners Educa onal Experiences .............. 43 Rothley Park Kindergarten.................................. 50

Courier Services MyParcelShop.Com ............................................ 28

Food, Drink and Venues Delice Fine Foods Ltd.......................................... 19 The Free Trade Inn.............................................. 42 The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel ................... 26

Piecemeal Plants ................................................ 14

Hair and Beauty Claire of Charnwood........................................... 41 Dignified Hair Design .......................................... 49 Radiance Beauty................................................. 41

Health Care Ac vity 4all ......................................................... 57 Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre.......................... 31 Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional ........ 31 Gorse Covert Dental Prac ce Ltd........................ 39 Inter Eyecare Op cians Ltd................................. 38 Mind Body Movement ....................................... 29 Pennie Blatchford ‐ Advanced Electrolysis ......... 41 Reed Wellbeing ‐ Complementary Health .......... 39

The Waterside Inn .............................................. 57

Visual Answers Op cians / Optometrists ........... 31

The White Horse Inn........................................... 46

Walk‐in Physio Ltd .............................................. 27

Garden

Home

Canopy Tree Services.......................................... 15

Absolute Window Solu ons Ltd ......................... 34

Charnwood Tree Services ................................... 10

Acacia Curtains and Blinds ................................. 35

Claire Jones Gardens .......................................... 11

Ancient & Modern Furniture Restora on .......... 14

Page 4

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Appliance City ‐ Appliance Exper se .................. 21 Aquafit Bathrooms ............................................. 32

Merchants - Builders, Plumbers & Timber

Blacks Plumbers & Property Maintenance ......... 62

Belvoir Sawmill ................................................... 14

Carpets of Choice ............................................... 36

John A Stephens Ltd. .......................................... 10

C J Hodgkins Ltd ‐ Aga Technician ....................... 28

NS Plumbing & Hea ng Supplies Ltd. ................. 33

Custom Conservatories & Windows................... 14 DCI Kitchens ....................................................... 28

Motoring and Vehicle Hire

Dave Mi on Electrical Ltd. ................................. 18

Just Kia Car Hire.................................................. 43

Delta Aerials ......................................................... 8

Loughborough Kia .............................................. 64

Digital.R.Us Ltd ................................................... 45 Ecoclean Carpet & Floor Care Ltd....................... 58 Fab Plumbing...................................................... 53

My Parcel Shop ‐ Man and Van Hire ................... 53 Twiggers Motorcycles Ltd ................................... 53

Pet and Animal Care

Hollydan Plumbing & Hea ng ............................ 28

Posh Dogs Canine Grooming .............................. 43

Keith Urry & Son ‐ High Class Decorators ........... 57

Woodside Animal Centre.................................... 43

KR Electrical.......................................................... 9 Louis Bespoke Kitchens ...................................... 23 M J Flint & Son Painters and Decorators .............. 9 Ocean Designs Conservatory Furniture.............. 35 Richard Watson Painter and Decorator .............. 27 Robert Newbold & Sons Ltd ............................... 47 SJS The Professional Carpet Cleaner .................. 19 SJS Leather Cleaning and Restora on ................ 49 Soar Valley Aerials .............................................. 14 Whelband Windows ............................................. 2 Woodburner Workshop...................................... 17

Home Care Services Absolute Care Agency......................................... 30

Professional Services Baker & Co Accountants ..................................... 62 CP Accountancy Ltd ............................................ 47 Garre ‐Long Solicitors........................................ 45 Helen Gadsby ‐ Financial Advisor ....................... 19 John German Estate Agents ............................... 24 Just Wills & Legal Services .................................. 26 Moss Solicitors ................................................... 25

Residen al Care The Abbeyfield ................................................... 30

Sports and Leisure Cyclops Cycles..................................................... 29

Like us on facebook to further promote your business www.facebook.com/SoarValleyLife

Page 5

Soar Valley Life Editors Steve & Mary Johns Adver sing Steve Johns What’s On! Compiler Chris Easom

HOW to ADVERTISE: See pages 8 and 9

Telephone 01509 813125 Email enquiries Adver sing info@soarvalleylife.co.uk Editorial editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Web www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/ SoarValleyLife Address 1 Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU

Copyright © 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.

Front Cover Photo:

NEW Alan Dayman’s

Monthly Gardening feature Page 12

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Everything Under the Sun Page 52

Walking Grange Lane Page 44 Beer of the month Page 46

© Paul Harley “Cygnet on Rutland Water” 13th April 2014 Nikon D7100 200mm lens F5.6 1/500th sec exp ISO 320

Page 6

Nicky Morgan MP Page 18

Contents Beau ful Borders Alan Dayman’s Gardening Tips for June Touch Wood Quick Crossword Nicky Morgan MP A more financial posi on Barbecued Rack of Ribs Vanilla and Chocolate Panna coi a Help to Buy ISAs Song Title Pictograms Quiz – Toys and Games Easy Sudoku Your Community Needs YOU! Ocushield – Proec ng your Eyes and Protec ng your Sleep Best Fit by Far Exci ng News for Wood Blinds!

A Hobby that’s Worth Droning on About Sleep Tight Beauty and the Beach Liver or Age Spots Are Rabbits Really a Low‐Profile Pet? Walking – Grange Lane Beer of the Month New Marriage Allowance And Another Thing...

Spot the Difference Henry Hedghog’s Puzzle Page Everything Under the Sun Museum to the Future Memories of 50 Years Ago Win Carpet Cleaning Worth £150 What’s On Train Driver Experience Day Winner Solu ons to Puzzles

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

11 12 15 17 18 19 20 22 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 35 37 39 40 41 42 44 46 47 48 50 51 52 54 56 59 60 63 63

WIN

Carpet Cleaning Worth £150 Page 59 from

What’s On In and Around the Soar Valley Page 60 Recipes

Barbecued Rack of Ribs

Page 20

Vanilla & Chocolate Panna co a

Page 22

Leicester Railway Museum Page 54

Bathroom feature Page 32

Soar Valley Life Sue Barry Mixed Media Painter and Textile Artist, Leicestershire Colour, texture, pattern and line in the landscape interest me and inspire me to create contemporary paintings and hand crafted felt scarves. I get a buzz from working with colour; it makes me feel good and all the lovely materials I have to create with are very tactile.

“No Junk Mail!”

Well, that was a busy couple of months! We now employ our own distributors and Mary and I have enjoyed mee ng lots of new people ‐ the young and not so young ‐ and accompanying them where needed to help them get to grips with the job. We’ve purchased a variety of trolleys, 12 so far, and we’re now armed with enough road tes ng info to write our own, in‐depth Which report – two of them didn’t even last the first round!

So, if you’re reading this, you have one of the following enterprising and worthy Soar Valley Lifers to thank:

By the Coast Having created a series of paintings using a blue colour palette, mainly with a coastal theme, I feel the blues/greys reflected in the landscape of this painting capture the simplicity of the Yorkshire coastline; its shape, textures and its mood at the time I was there. I used acrylics, oils, collage and rag painting to create this piece, which offers calmness and a stillness.

“A very welcoming, family friendly place, full of beautiful things. Great for a pot of tea while the children play in the garden.”

www.suttonboningtongallery.com 01509 678867 Open Thursdays - Sundays 11am - 5pm

© SVL

Katy, Oliver and family, Kwame, Jake, Ben and Dan from Thorpe Acre, Alastair and Harry from Mountsorrel, Theo, Tom and Megan from Barrow, Oliver, Eve and Antonia from Sileby, Peter from Wymeswold, and of course our regular staff members Chris and Jenny from Enderby, Alison from Quorn, our good friend Dave from Sleaford and last but not least, Steve’s son Sam and daughter‐in‐law Ka e from No ngham and Steve’s daughter Emily from Birmingham.

For those not reading this, the tle above is just for you! Should Soar Valley Life be classed as “Junk Mail”? It’s a community magazine helping local people to find local services and to buy local products. But we have encountered a number of differently worded, some mes hos le, pleas at doorsteps on our travels and we’re wondering what we should do. At a rough guess I’d say there’s about 1 in 250 with a sign. Please let us know.

The ones we like best though are the hanging raffia hearts and the doormats that say Welcome…

Steve & Mary Johns

Like us on facebook to further promote your business www.facebook.com/SoarValleyLife

Page 7

01509 768831

Your Local Parcel & Packaging Store

All you need under one roof All removal packing, bubble wrap, boxes, tape and craft and art materials 10% discount off all packaging materials with this advert 38 Baxter Gate, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1TQ

• • • •

In business since 1983 5 year warranty We’ll beat any like for like quote High Quality Digital TV, DAB & FM Aerials • LCD/Plasma Wall Mounts • OAP Discounts • Tune-in & System set ups

Tel: 0333 600 2122 (Mobile Friendly) Email: sales@myparcelshop.com

133 Highgate Road, Sileby LE12 7PW www.deltaaerials.co.uk

© SVL

Magic Memories at Passionate About Personalisation A personalised item from our range of clothing, promotional products and photo gifts can be produced in store to keep your special memories for many years to come. Simply let us have your design or image by either email, memory stick or we can scan it for you and then choose from our range of items. We will then produce a quality item for you to cherish. © SVL

The Horse Trough, Dishley Grange Farm, Derby Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 5SF 01509 842626

Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 10 – 6, Tuesday 10 – 5, Saturday 10- 4. Closed Wednesday, Sunday & Bank Hols

Adver sing Rates

Get inside 30,000 homes for £31 per month Leaflet Distribu on Sixth page square

Sixth Page from £31 per month for a 6 month booking

Quarter page Banner advert

Quarter Page from £49 per month for a 6 month booking

See page 63 for details

Quarter Page

Third Page

Portrait

Banner advert

Third Page

from

£59 per month

for a 6 month booking

All prices quoted subject to VAT and are our lowest discounted rate. Full details of all rate op ons (1,2, 6 and alternate months), leaflet del

Page 8

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

• • • • • •

M J FLINT & SON

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

Painting & Decorating

Re-wires Fuse Board Upgrades Extra Sockets & Lighting New Builds & Extensions Inspection & Testing Garden & Security Lighting • Electric Showers • Burglar Alarms

Industrial • Commercial • Domestic Interior & Exterior

- Spray Service Available 2, Meadow Lane, Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9WT

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Tel: 01530 587591 Mob: 07790 583730

For a FREE quote: M: 07970 893250 T: 0116 2303166

Email: mjflint@talktalk.net

Saxon Drive, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7SR www.krelectrical.com Info@krelectrical.com

© SVL

FREE ESTIMATES

Local, reliable, competitively-priced, professional service.

• Full range of Tree, Hedge & Stump services • Tree Preservation Order & Conservation Area Work • Qualified specialists that take pride in quality tree care • Fully Insured • All work carried out to BS 3998 • No job too large or too small Call now for a free no obligation quotation.

Tel: 01509 261990

Email: info@jsbtreesurgery.co.uk © SVL

Your award winning

Double page spread Half page

Full page

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£79 per month

for a 6 month booking

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for a 6 month booking

Double page width 1/2 height banner from £179 per month for a 6 month booking

livery and media informa on pack can be downloaded at www.soarvalleylife.co.uk - Email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Call 01509 813125

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 9

01509 414 169

BUILDERS MERCHANTS

Main Branch/Stockyard: Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1AG Tel: 0115 941 2861 Satellite Branch: 45 ~ 55, Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford NG2 5FX Tel: 0115 981 4313

The widest range of hard landscaping products from the East Midlands leading independent builders’ merchant Choose from: Marshalls (the UK’s leading landscape product supplier) and Stonemarket (arguably the trendsetters for innovative hard landscape products) Next day delivery for most popular products – large fleet of 20+ vehicles for prompt delivery Professional design and layout guides free to download from our website

www.johnastephens.co.uk Page 10

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Beau ful Borders Good garden design is paramount in producing successful plan ng arrangements, ower beds and herbaceous borders‌ There are many things to consider, from choosing plants that will thrive in the aspect and soil condi ons to selec ng plants with contras ng shape, form and size. Then there are colours to

decide upon, complementary or contras ng colours to create atmosphere and set the tone of your border. To do this takes a great deal of me and knowledge. It can be a daun ng task to undertake. If you don't have the knowhow, me or inclina on, but you long for beau ful borders, why not book a consulta on? With my experience and exper se I can help you to create beau ful borders from start to ďŹ nish.

Claire Jones

Strong healthy plants and flowers with expert advice from professional nurserymen Established 1976

Silver medal award winners at 2012 Chelsea flower show

Good, honest family value: We grow everything from Pansies to Pyracanthas on our 11 acre site, and, because our costs are a fraction of the other garden centres, you pay less!

• Bedding and basket plants now available • Family run nursery with over 40 years experience • Hanging basket filling service available

• Fully qualified and insured tree surgery service available by Ash Dayman • Quality, colourful and decorative shrubs & plants • Full landscape and design team

Alan Dayman’s Monthly

Top 10 jobs this month

Sowing and plan ng

1. Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds.

Plant out summer bedding and seed‐raised plants, if not already done so. Make sure they are well watered in and keep moist during dry weather.

Plant out cannas and dahlias once danger of frost has passed.

Gaps in herbaceous borders are best filled with annual bedding at this stage in the season.

One excep on is anemones (e.g.

Anemone coronaria), which take about three months to flower a er

2. Be water‐wise if dry weather persists.

3. Pinch out side shoots on tomatoes 4. Harvest le uce, radish, other salads and early potatoes.

5. Posi on summer hanging baskets and containers outside.

Page 12

6. Mow lawns at least once a week.

7. Plant out summer bedding.

8. Stake tall or floppy plants.

9. Prune many spring‐ flowering shrubs.

10. Shade greenhouses to keep them cool and prevent scorch.

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

plan ng. The rhizomes are best planted now, a er an overnight soaking, 5cm (2in) deep in a suitably moist but free‐draining soil or compost with lots of added leaf mould or organic ma er.

It is not too late to direct sow a few fast growing, late‐flowering hardy annuals such as Calendula, Gode a and Clarkia.

• Wide range of alpines & perennials

• Huge selection of fruit trees and bushes

Shrub of the Month

• Large selection of ceramic wooden & decorative pots and planters

• All hedging plants

Spirea Snowmound

• All lawn products including turf – from 1 to 1,000 rolls

• Decorative stones, gravel, slate and rockery stones

Was £7.95

now £4.95

• Top soil delivered

• Plant foods, fertilisers and compost

• Cheap bark and mulch

• Extensive range of gardening products & tools

• Coal, logs & kindling – delivery available

Derrys Nurseries, well worth a visit...

Derrys Nurseries Main Street, Cossington LE7 4UU Tel (01509) 812815 Open 7 days a week

'Snowmound' is a spreading medium-sized deciduous shrub with arching branches bearing small obovate leaves and short lateral shoots ending in rounded clusters, to 4cm in width, of small white flowers.

Gardening ps for June: Trees & Shrubs

Pruning and training Cut back tender shrubs such as Penstemon, Caryopteris and hardy fuchsias.

Prune deciduous magnolias once the plant is in full leaf. If this is done in winter, when the tree is dormant, dieback can occur, and pruning in late winter or spring can result in bleeding. Midsummer is therefore recommended.

Clip evergreen hedges such as privet (Ligustrum), box (Buxus ‐ above) and Lonicera ni da if

Ladybirds

needed. If they are not too woody, shredded clippings can be added to the compost heap.

Thin out new shoots on trees and shrubs that were pruned in winter to s mulate growth.

Remove crossing stems and prevent overcrowding of new growth.

Prune out any remaining frost damage from affected evergreen shrubs.

It is hard to garden without aphids causing some grief – reducing their numbers is the best bet. Encouraging naturally occurring predators such as ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings will help.

Aphid predators such as the larva of the midge Aphidoletes and even ladybirds, can all be purchased, as can the ny parasi c wasp Aphidius.

Ladybirds are perfect for using on aphid outbreaks anywhere in the garden from pots and borders to hanging

baskets and hedges. The great thing with these is that, once established they will start to breed and add to the natural ladybird popula on.

There are a number of different chemicals (including organic or ‘green’ ones) available for controlling aphid pests too, but check the label carefully before buying or using, and always follow the instruc ons carefully.

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See pages 8 and 9

Page 13

ancient M

O

&

DE

R

N

Furniture Restoration and Bespoke Cabinet Making

www.amfurniturerestoration.co.uk Restoration and renovation of antique furniture Bespoke cabinet making & furniture reproduction Re-lacquering of modern furniture (i.e. Ercol, G-Plan, Old Charm etc) & French Polishing General repairs Est. 1995 Š SVL If you would like to enquire further please contact David Nash on 07976 571 679 or 01530 587 537

Page 14

Piecemeal Plants Independent nursery offering a wide and interesting range of quality, hardy herbaceous perennials, many unusual.

Open early April to mid September on Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm.

Located at entrance to Whatton House Gardens (see separate website), off the A6, between Hathern and Kegworth. Parking at top of drive.

Website www.piecemealplants.co.uk Email Mary Thomas at nursery@piecemealplants.co.uk Tel 01509 672056 or 07950 757 444

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Touch Wood

Trees are the oldest and largest living organisms on our planet.

Today many of our na ve trees are under threat due to a number of factors including the growth in interna onal trade of trees and plants and the effects of climate change…

Dutch elm disease became prevalent during the 1970s and has to date killed over 60 million trees. Ash dieback was first spo ed in Poland in 1992 and has been spreading west ever since.

In 2012 it was found in the South East of the UK on imported nursery trees; as a fungus spread by the wind it could devastate the UK’s 80 million ash tree popula on. Canker and leaf minor have been affec ng horse chestnut trees to the extent that conkers are now smaller; many believe horse chestnuts are unlikely to be a feature of the Bri sh landscape in the future.

The English oak is also under threat; acute oak decline has been affec ng our na ve oak species for around 20‐30 years and in London and the South East the oak processionary moth has become established. The moth caterpillars’ ny hairs contain a toxin which can lead to itching skin lesions, sore throats, breathing difficul es or eye problems. OPM caterpillars are most easily recognised by their dis nc ve habit of moving about in late spring and early summer in nose‐to‐tail processions.

Ben Edmonds of Canopy Tree Services says, “If you have concerns about your trees we can visit and give free advice. As a tree owner you have a duty of care to ensure that your trees cause no harm. We can undertake tree surveys and all types of tree surgery from hedge trimming to felling of large trees and site clearance. We will obtain the relevant permissions to fell the tree and recycle the waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

An Oak tree in decline suffering dieback

We can also grind out the stump so the area is returned to good use.

Beware of cowboys who call themselves ‘tree surgeons’ ‐ it is difficult to tell the rouges from the professionals. A sure way is to use an ARB Approved Contractor who has been assessed by the Arboricultural Associa on, the na onal tree‐care industry body: www.trees.org.uk

Felling, pruning, hedge cutting, planting, stump grinding to BS3998 Tree hazard surveys, mortgage reports and BS5837 surveys undertaken

FREE QUOTES - FULLY INSURED AND QUALIFIED Trading since 2004

01509 590 095 www.canopytrees.co.uk canopytrees

© SVL

Sutton Bonington Friends of Cancer Research UK

Garden Walkabout in Sutton Bonington and Kingston on Soar

Saturday 20 June and Sunday 21 June from 2 pm to 6 pm Admission to gardens £4 per adult - covers both days.

Accompanied children free Around 35 varied gardens open to visitors Home-Made Cakes and Plants for Sale Bric a Brac ◆ Tombola ◆ Grand Prize Draw Live Music ◆ Refreshments ◆ Ice-creams Full details in programmes on sale in the Pasture Lane Stores, The Gallery and the Post Office in Sutton Bonington during June, and in the villages during both afternoons

Driveways • Patio & paths • Fencing & gates • Turfing Call Tim Dorman 01509

839694 or 0116 2364410 / Mobile 07792 645878

Charnwood based • 20 years experience © SVL

Page 16

One step and you’re there!

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Quick Crossword 1

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Well ven lated (4)

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19 Assists (4) Answers on page 63

Are you looking for something a little different?

Woodburner Workshop also sell and install the fabulous Dru range of gas fires.

We are agents for the outstanding Clearview brand of stoves Morso, Jotul, Aarrow, Villager and Hunter stoves

10% OFF

all fitting costs only with this advert

Telephone: 01455 552552

email: info@woodburnerworkshop.co.uk www.woodburnerworkshop.co.uk 31 Market St, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4EJ Open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm Large car park to the rear of our showroom

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 17

Nicky Morgan MP I would like to say a massive thank you to those who re-elected me as the Member of Parliament for the Loughborough cons tuency. It is a huge honour to represent this wonderful cons tuency, and I will con nue to work hard for all cons tuents and be your voice in Westminster.

We have three main principles to follow over the course of this Parliament. Firstly, we are pu ng working people front and centre of the new Government’s mission. This means introducing legisla on within weeks to reform welfare, offer more appren ceships, create two million jobs and help working parents with childcare costs. And for those who can’t work we will ensure they have the support they need at every stage of their lives.

Secondly we will be very clear that in areas such as educa on we will govern with compassion and with a focus on social jus ce. I am delighted to have been re‐appointed as Secretary of State for Educa on as well as Minister for Women and Equali es by the Prime Minister.

Every child is en tled to a place at a good local school which will give them the best start in life.

Since 2010 we have a million more pupils in schools rated good or outstanding but we need to go further and ensure that we have excellent schools and excellent teachers in all parts of our country.

Thirdly we will be a “One Na on” Government that will act in the interests of the whole country bringing together the different na ons of our United Kingdom. The Prime Minister has said that he wants to govern with respect and we will implement as fast as we can the devolu on that all par es agreed for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Finally, it was a real pleasure that one of my first post‐elec on events was to take part in the Wymeswold Waddle annual duck races. As we enter the season of summer events in villages and communi es across our local area this is one of my favourites. I ran the fun run with my 7 year old son and, amazingly, we weren’t placed last as we had been a couple of years ago!

You can e‐mail me at nicky.morgan.mp@parliament.uk or call 01509 262723

Page 18

Your local expert

ELECTRICIAN Free friendly advice, call today

01509 889096

24 Barrow road, Burton on the Wolds, LE12 5TB. Company number 6180527

info@davemittonelectrical.co.uk

© SVL

HASSALL & SON LTD EST 1963 Building & Roofing Contractors

Tel Quorn 01509 412446

• Re-roofing • Slating & Tiling (Swithland slates) • House pointing & Chimney rebuilding • Guttering • Soffits & Fascias

• Extensions & Alterations • General building repairs • Small building work projects • Flat roof replacement Contact Chris Hassall

© SVL

Mobile: 0780 3135382 www.hassallandsonltd.co.uk 17 The Pingle, Quorn Leicestershire

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

A More Secure Financial Posi on - Both Now and in the Future A er twenty years in financial services, I know my way around numbers and can dra wills, set up trusts and advise on probate and estate planning to give you peace of mind...

I’ve helped people all over Charnwood and across the Midlands make good decisions based on their circumstances and priori es.

Many people prefer to see me in the evening at their home, but you’re also welcome at our Kegworth office.

Three good reasons to make a Will • Without one, your spouse won’t automa cally inherit all your assets • It will ensure your children are taken care of by suitable guardians • If you don’t, the government will decide who inherits your property, possessions and money!

Call Helen Gadsby, Financial and Legal Services Advisor on 07928 676 675 Or email: helen.gadsby@inspirefinancialsolu onsltd.co.uk Inspire Financial Solu ons Ltd, Inspire House, 5 Market Place, Kegworth DE74 2EE

0116 2987082 01509 412797 07825 795558 Before

Fine French & local foods, charcuterie, artisan cheese, oils & olives, local honey & beer, homemade gluten-free bread and French specialities like raclette.

Private function room available.

Hampers, cheese and pork pie wedding cakes.

Home cooked meats and pates.

Cleaning: • CARPETS (Domestic & Commercial) • SUITES (Leather & Fabric) • RUGS (Oriental, Asian / Silk & Wool)

After

• CURTAINS (In Situ)

Delice Deli & Cafe, 7 & 8 Baxter Gate Loughborough LE11 1TG

No obligation assessment visit as part of the service

t: 01509 210013

e: info@delicefinefoods.co.uk www.facebook.com/DeliceDeliCafe @delicefinefoods www.delicefinefoods.co.uk © SVL

Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 17:00 • Sat: 09:00 - 17:00

© SVL

www.theprofessionalcarpetcleaner.co.uk

business your promote to further Like us onoffacebook Anything interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 www.facebook.com/SoarValleyLife 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 19

Recipe This month’s recipe sponsored by

Appliance City

Barbecued Rack of Ribs Pre-cooking ribs in a pan of simmering water before placing them on the barbecue will ensure mel ngly tender meat every me. This method also saves space on the barbecue as the final cooking me with the sauce is much shorter. Serve with a spicy chunky tomato salsa, if liked.

1

Place the ribs in a large pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil then skim off any scum from the surface of the water. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes.

2

Meanwhile, place the rest of the ingredients in a pan and bring to the boil.

Simmer for 5‐10 minutes, s rring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Leave to cool.

3

Remove the racks from the pan and drain on a board lined with kitchen paper.

Leave to cool for 5 minutes then brush each rack liberally with some of the sauce.

4

Tip

Cook the ribs on the edge of a hot barbecue for 10‐15 minutes, turning and bas ng with any remaining sauce un l the ribs are lightly charred in places.

Alterna vely, the ribs can be cooked under a medium preheated grill.

Most large supermarkets sell racks of ribs or ask your local butcher to prepare them for you. Single ribs will work just as well (you’ll need about 2kg in weight), just reduce the simmering me to about 25 minutes.

Page 20

Ready in 1 hour Serves 4

Ingredients: • 2‐3 racks of pork ribs (see Tip) • 6 tbsp tomato ketchup • 3 tbsp maple syrup • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tbsp sunflower oil • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1‐2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

Recipe sponsored by Appliance City See their full range of fabulous cooking appliances at www.appliancecity.co.uk

Recipe

Cake and Bake

This velvety smooth, vanilla flavoured Italian set cream is simple to make but tastes divine.

For a less rich dessert replace half the double cream with full-fat milk.

Vanilla and Chocolate Serves 4 Ready in 30 mins, plus cooling and se Panna Co a 1

Place the cream, vanilla extract, lemon rind and caster sugar in a pan and bring slowly to the boil. Remove from the heat.

2

Meanwhile place 4 tbsp of boiling water in a small heatproof cup or jug and sprinkle over the powdered gela ne. Leave for a few minutes un l spongy then s r un l dissolved. If the gela ne doesn’t completely dissolve, heat in the microwave on Full Power for a few seconds or sit the cup or jug in a pan of gently simmering water and s r un l completely clear.

Leave to cool for 10 minutes.

3

S r a li le of the hot cream into the gela ne mixture then s r back into the rest of the cream. Leave the mixture to cool for 30 minutes. Remove the strips of lemon rind and pour the mixture into four individual 150ml pudding basins. Place on a tray and chill in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight un l set.

4

To serve, dip each pudding basin into a bowl of hot water for a few seconds then turn out onto a serving plate. Sprinkle the grated chocolate over each panna co a and decorate with a sprig of mint or lemon balm. Serve with the chocolate dipped strawberries.

Tip

ng me

To make the chocolate dipped strawberries, pick firm ripe strawberries and use a good quality dark chocolate (one with at least 50% cocoa solids). Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Remove the bowl from the heat and s r un l smooth. Holding each strawberry by the green calyx, dip into the melted chocolate then shake to allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the dipped strawberries onto a baking sheet lined with baking paper and leave in a cool place un l the chocolate has set. Serve on day of dipping.

Page 22

Ingredients: • 600ml double cream • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 2 pared strips of lemon rind • 55g caster sugar • 1 x 12g sachet powdered gela ne • 50g good quality dark chocolate, finely grated • Chocolate dipped strawberries, to serve (see TIP)

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Help to Buy ISAs This year’s Budget introduced the Help to Buy ISA, a government offer to top up first me buyer savings for a deposit on a house...

• For every £1 you save (up to a maximum of £200 each month) the government will give you 25p, up to a total deposit of £12,000.

There is no monthly minimum amount you must save to qualify, just save as much as you can afford. Savings of £12,000 mean you'll actually have £15,000 to put down as a deposit.

• Help to Buy ISAs should be available from autumn 2015 and should stay open to first me buyers for at least four years.

You'll be able to open one with

up to £1000 deposit, so buyers can start saving now. Once you've got one, there's no me limit on how quickly you have to save or when you can use the government's bonus.

• Help to Buy ISAs are only for people buying their first home for purely residen al purposes – not Buy to Let investors.

• If you are buying with a second or third person, you can pool your Help to Buy ISA deposits for the same transac on. This means, that if two purchasers used their own individual Help to Buy ISAs and saved the full £12,000 limit each, the Government would provide £6,000 in free matched cash to

help towards their house purchase. There are no limits as to how many purchasers can u lise their own ISA deposit on the same property.

• The Help to Buy ISA will only be available on homes worth up to £250,000 (£450,000 in London).

Help to Buy ISAs are just the latest way the government is hoping to help first‐ me buyers and boost the construc on industry For further informa on contact: Luke Smith: l.smith@moss‐solicitors.co.uk or Rachel Skinner: r.skinner@moss‐solicitors.co.uk Telephone: 01509 217770

MOSS SOLICITORS LLP Twice awarded Leicestershire Law Society County Law Firm of the Year 80-81 Woodgate, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2XE

01509 217770 and Whitwick Business Centre, Stenson Road, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 4JP

01530 815747

www.moss-solicitors.co.uk Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See pages 8 and 9

Page 25

Have you made your Will yet?

Song Title Pictograms X X X GAGA

For Wills - Trusts - Estate Planning & Lasting Power of Attorney

Just Wills & Legal Services (formerly In Home Legal Services)

I

I Mrs Chris Thomas & Mrs Pam Draycott Home: 01509 507334 Office: 08450 568571 Mrs Clare Cooper Mobile: 0786 641 5251

1,2,3... 1,2,3...

1,2,3...

Answers on page 63

90 The Meadows, Shepshed Member of the Society of Will Writers www.justwillsandlegalservices.co.uk/chris-thomas

© SVL

…a menu for all tastes

Traditional & Contemporary Cuisine Head chef Nicola Albiniano says:

“Our ever-changing menu and exciting new dishes bring a new dimension to the table everyday”

The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel Guesthouse 217 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 7AR info@mountsorrel-guesthouse.co.uk Tel: 01509 552 789 www.mountsorrel-guesthouse.co.uk © SVL

Page 26

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See pages 8 and 9

Quiz - Toys and Games 1.

What toy would you need to perform tricks called walk the dog and the cat's cradle?

2. Which game has a name that is derived from a Swahili word meaning "to build"?

3. Named toy of the year for 1998 by the Bri sh Associa on of Toy Retailers, which electronic toy would speak its own language ini ally before gradually star ng to speak more and more English?

4. What colour are the hotels in a standard game of Monopoly?

5. First introduced in the 18th century, what type of puzzles were named a er the tool that was used to make them?

6. In which game might you visit Lemonade Lake, Chocolate Mountains, Minty Meadow and Easter Bunny Hills?

7. Which of Andy's toys in the Toy Story films wears a black bowler hat?

8. In a standard game of Ba leship, how many ships do you have to sink to win?

9. Which American toy company was founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler?

10. What is the only non‐metallic murder weapon in the game of Cluedo? Answers on page 63

Richard Watson Professional Painter and Decorator from internal to external

Thirty years experience in the trade - Sileby based

Better value by far! • Free Estimates • No VAT For a full personal service call

T: 01509 815753 M: 07880 754011

For appointments call or text: Physiotherapy & Acupuncture

07884493809

www.walk-inphysio.co.uk • info@walk-inphysio.co.uk Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 27

C. J. Hodgkins Ltd INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN IN AGA COOKERS Over 25 years of experience in the service / repair / installation of Aga cookers Aga cooker maintenance, re-enamelling, reconditioning, installing and stripping down.

Contact: Carl Hodgkins

Mobile telephone: 07884 394898 Landline telephone: 01509 670178 Email address: cjhodgkins@btinternet.com

www.cjhodgkins.co.uk

Your Local Parcel & Packaging Store

Plumbing Boiler Swaps Central Heating Systems Bathroom Installations & Limited Mobility Adaptations Gas Installations & Repairs Landlord Certificates

All you need under one roof

Parcel Price from £8.99 (No VAT) Domestic and Commercial 5 – 30 kgs

No Job Too Big or Too Small No VAT • 24 Hr callout • Free Quotations

01509 646689 or 07746 115381 www.hollydan.co.uk lnfo@hollydan.co.uk © SVL

Page 28

© SVL

38 Baxter Gate, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1TQ 567337

Tel: 0333 600 2122 (Mobile Friendly) Email: sales@myparcelshop.com

© SVL

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Yoga - Pilates - Somatics 1:1 - Workshops - Classes Cheryl Lee

GP Referral Back Pain Specialist and Neuromuscular Educator

Thorough postural and movement assessments with bespoke, holistic and progressive programmes to treat chronic muscle tension, postural issues and back pain

Workshops

Sat July 4th - Soothe your tight neck and shoulders Sun 26 July - Dru Yoga and Somatics workshops, Barefoot Festival

07949 895170

cheryljustinelee@gmail.co.uk www.mind-body-movement.co.uk @mindbodymoveuk mindbodymovementuk

© SVL

Easy Sudoku

Answers on page 63

Each row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once. This can be done by applying logic – you don’t have to guess!

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 29

Your Community Needs YOU!

FREE,

Would you like to work in your community making a real difference to people’s lives?

If you are caring, pa ent and good with people, we are looking for you!

no obligation homecare needs assessment in your own home

We are a home care provider, working in Loughborough and the surrounding villages, dedicated to providing the highest quality home care so people can live independently at home for as long as possible. We care for adults of all ages and specialise in personal care, re‐ablement care, terminal care and respite care. We also offer suppor ng services such as shopping, social trips and si ng services.

We really value our team so we offer the best rates of pay in the area, a guaranteed‐hours contract, holiday pay, travel pay and flexible hours to suit your circumstances. You will also receive a thorough induc on, on‐going training and an opportunity to develop new skills in a suppor ve, exci ng environment. Not to men on the opportunity to gain a professional qualifica on (NVQ) in Health and Social Care.

If you are looking for a new challenge and you want to help us provide excellent home care services, please call us on 01509 881 595.

Find out how our local, family run Home Care Agency can help you

Loughborough May Mills House on Forest Road Ingleside on Ashby Road The Abbeyfield Loughborough Society, 44 Westfield Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3QL

01509 266605 email

julie.king@abbeyfield-loboro.com www.abbeyfieldloughborough.co.uk Registered Charity No. 238168

Page 30

Abbeyfield Loughborough Sheltered Houses are a community of sheltered bed-sits providing a safe and stress-free option for people who are looking for some personal support and companionship, whilst retaining their independence.

There’s no ‘make yourself at home’ - it is your home, your space, housing your memories and the things that matter most to you. The way you choose to furnish and accessorise is down to you. We want you to be comfortable: bring your favourite recliner, pictures and most treasured possessions.

Time is personal, so it’s up to you where and how you choose to spend it.

That goes for whom you spend it with as well. You have complete freedom to invite family and friends to visit you whenever you want. Get to know and share experiences with fellow residents over shared meals in the dining room or sitting in the garden, join in with arts and crafts, music, outings and other social events.

Enjoy comfort and freedom, but with the added stability and security that’s inherent at our Houses. With the freedom to live independently, with close links to local shops and amenities, you can be relaxed in the knowledge that © SVL you’re in a safe environment.

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Ocushield – Protec ng your Eyes and Protec ng your Sleep Ocushield is the unique, state-of the-art, tri-layer screen protector developed by eye care and health professionals at the City University (London) exclusively for Apple smart phones and tablets that effec vely filters out harmful blue light whilst maintaining op cal transparency and screen sensi vity to help you: • Prevent eyestrain, eye fa gue and redness (by blocking blue‐violet light) • Improve sleep as blue light suppresses the vital sleep hormone melatonin • Lower the risk of re nal cell death including macular degenera on (AMD) Ocushield is recommended for both adults and children using Apple digital devices by leading optometrists and eye specialists Launch Prices iPhone (5/5C/5S/6/6+) £9.99 iPad Mini (2/3) £14.99 iPad (2/3/4/Air/Air2) £19.99 Please state your device at the me of ordering Available from: Visual Answers Optometrists 22 High St. Quorn Loughborough LE12 8DT Call (01509) 415305 28 High St. Barrow upon Soar LE11 8PY Call (01509) 416800 www.VisualAnswers.co.uk

Gareth Ga a Hudson MCFHP MAFHP

Foot Fo oo Health Professional Visiting Practice For all your foot care needs in the comfort of your own home:

Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Ltd Lynne Leeming, MSc RHAD MSHAA

Your local hearing specialist 5 Stadon Road, Anstey Leicester, LE7 7AY

+ Nails

Existing hearing aid users welcome

+ Corns

Hearing protection for both children and adults

+ Calluses + Ingrown toenails + Fungal infections + Diabetic foot care Registered Member Of The British Association Of Foot Health Professionals

Tel: 01509 844461 Mobile: 07896 945156 Email: garethhudson82@live.co.uk

Friendly and professional service

Telephone: 0116 236 6633 Email: charnwoodhearing@btconnect.com www.charnwoodhearing.co.uk

For people who care about their hearing Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm Wed & Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm

See our NEW DISPLAY at NS Heating & Plumbing, Vulcan Way, Hermitage Ind Est Coalville LE67 3FW

Best Fit by Far At NS Plumbing & Hea ng’s head office on Vulcan Way, Hermitage Industrial Estate in Coalville, you really can have the best of both worlds...

and then Chris, the NS showroom manager, will visit you at your home, at a me convenient to you, to work out what would be best for your budget, space and lifestyle.

Chris will then prepare a no obliga on, free quota on which you will have in a day or two. You can choose your own installer or one from their approved list.

You can choose your new bathroom and all the li le extras from the extensive mul ‐supplier range available to the independent merchant; there are numerous choices from dozens of manufacturers. You can see some of these in‐situ in their showroom ‐ upstairs and downstairs ‐ and really get a feel for what a new bathroom or wet room would be like. These displays have been set up by independent installa on experts recommended by NS themselves.

Here’s how it works: Have a look at what’s available in the showroom ‐ you’ll be amazed ‐

Page 32

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Plumbing Merchants & Heating Equipment Distributors

1000’s of parts in stock.

Trade & DIY enquires.

Experienced and knowledgeable staff on hand to offer friendly advice Bathrooms, Suites, Showers and Wetrooms • Shower trays Traditional & contemporary • Taps ranges • Sinks • Showers • Toilets • Baths • Brassware • Wetrooms • Accessories • Screens • Cabinets •

• • • • •

Central Heating equipment • Fittings Boilers – Gas/Oil/Electric • Gutter/Soil/ Underground Spares pipes – extensive Radiators stock Heating Controls • Water Tanks Copper & Plastic Piping

Brands you can trust

+ Up to date showroom displays at Coalville Branch of the latest walk in showers and traditional bathrooms, together with radiators, sinks, cabinets, illuminated mirrors, WCs and much more Coalville Branch: Hermitage Industrial Estate, Vulcan Way, Coalville LE67 3FW T: 01530 513590 Loughborough Branch: 10 Prince William Road, Loughborough LE11 0GU T: 01509 218668

© SVL

I asked Mark Sullivan, of Aquafit Bathrooms, who is an NS recommended independent installer, about this way of opera ng.

“It works extremely well for all par es and it means the customer has more choice, be er value and more importantly, in most cases, be er quality. The extensive choice available through NS Supplies means we always supply quality products usually from European manufacturers. And, just as important as this, because we use an accredited merchant we are guaranteed to supply spare parts ‐ seals, hinges, surrounds and all the countless other bits and pieces ‐ far into the future, should a replacement part ever be needed.”

I then spoke with Dave Hurst, Manager of NS in Coalville who explained further, “We opened

this depot in 1989 and we have customer records da ng back over many years. We’re here to give advice and supply the right product and parts at the right price. This o en involves turning problems into solu ons and with the assistance of our recommended local and reputable installers, who are all skilled, trusted and experienced tradesmen, means that together we offer a service second to none ensuring a hassle free experience from ini al design to complete installa on and beyond.”

Of course, if you’d prefer to start the process of your new bathroom from your home, just call NS Plumbing & Hea ng at on 01530 513590 or Mark Sullivan at Aquafit on 01530 481165.

With displays from some of the Industries leading suppliers such as AQATA, IDEAL STANDARD, LAUFEN, ROCA, VITRA, and CIFIAL, you’ll get the bathroom that’s right for you and your home at the price you can afford.

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See pages 8 and 9

Page 33

Exci ng news for wood blinds!

Li le Greene and English Heritage have collaborated to bring out an exclusive range of pure wood vene an blinds...

In a choice of colours approved

by English heritage, the blinds are then painted by Li le Greene who are well known for using up to 40% more pigment in their paints so the colours have great depth.

Available in a 50mm slat, you can have matching tapes or a contras ng colour for that ďŹ nishing touch. With colour names such as Hollyhock, Bone China Blue and even Jack Black, these new addi ons to our wood blind range will give your windows instant style.

For more informa on please contact Acacia Curtains & Blinds on 01509 821016 or 07951 619046

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 35

Hobbies By Kate McLelland A Hobby That’s Worth Droning On About Drones are much in the news these days: whether it’s shoo ng a spectacular wildlife image or zooming too close to a passenger plane, these popular flying machines have had their share of good and bad press reports.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may be the latest gadget‐of‐ choice but pilotless flying vehicles have a long and surprising history.

In 1849 the Austrians launched a largely unsuccessful unmanned bomb a ack on Venice, using balloons (planes were yet to be invented) and unmanned torpedos also played a part in the First World War. The first remote‐controlled pilotless aircra was invented in 1935 and World War II saw the use of UAVs on both sides, but when the US Air Force lost over 5,000 airmen in the Vietnam War, drones began to be used extensively.

They undoubtedly saved further loss of life but these large, expensive, jet‐powered cra proved hard to recover and many were lost during opera ons.

If you are thinking of buying one for yourself or a family member, be warned, as you can incur some pre y he y penal es if you let your drone infringe airspace regula ons.

The Air Naviga on Order states that no unmanned cra can be flown within 50 metres of a person, vehicle or building – unless the people, vehicles or buildings in ques on are “under your control”.

That means even that flying a drone in your own back garden is not permi ed unless your neighbour’s property is at least 50m away. If you’re in a public space, such as a park, you are not allowed to fly within 150m of any “congested area” and you must avoid filming in places such as sports fields where crowds are gathered.

Even though you may be able to receive live, streamed video from the drone’s loca on, you should not let it stray out of your line of sight.

Businesses that want to use a drone for commercial purposes must apply for a permit from the Civil Avia on Authority before they a empt a flight close to people or property.

A number of recrea onal users have already been convicted for offences that include flying too close to the rides at Alton Towers and photographing Devonshire landscapes without the landowner’s consent. It cost one man over £4,000 in fines and court fees when his UAV flew near a road bridge and over a nuclear installa on.

If you’re s ll keen to own a drone you can pick up a fly‐only model from under £30.

A more advanced device, which lets you steer from a smartphone or tablet while a camera streams live images or records video footage, will cost around £250‐ £300.

As long as the rules and regula ons are observed, you’ll get hours of enjoyment from flying these clever li le gadgets, but do set aside some me to master the techniques you’ll need before you a empt that perfect bird’s eye view shot.

Here are some basic rules to follow while you are learning: avoid windy condi ons and operate the drone in a park or grassy field well away from people, animals and parked cars.

Turn off your mobile phone and try not to let other distrac ons affect your concentra on.

With a bit of prac ce, you’ll soon be flying like a pro, but just remember: if your expensive UAV ends up in a tree, just don’t go droning on about it…

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See pages 8 and 9

Page 37

Rothley House Prac ce

PROTECT YOUR EYES Kodak BluProtect is a technological breakthrough that filters out harmful blue light without distor ng colour vision or blocking posi ve light wavelengths that help regulate a healthy sleep cycle.

Light entering the eye is more efficiently managed, leading to less eye strain and more comfortable

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viewing over longer periods of me. Reduc on in the glare caused by blue light entering the eye enables your eyes to be er compensate to ligh ng condi ons and offers a greater visible contrast. Increased contrast gives enhanced visual sharpness and defini on which enables you to be er define objects and details in lower light condi ons.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS • Reflects harmful blue light • Clearer and sharper vision • Reduces irrita ng glare from bright lights • No altera on to colour percep on • Improves visual comfort when using electronic devices over long periods of me

BluProtect Upgrade with all new lenses ordered before June 15th 2015.

Inter Eyecare Op cians 95 Swithland Lane, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7SH Vinesh and Tanni Patel Principals of Inter Eyecare

Phone: Freephone: 0800 093 3486 Telephone: 0116 319 2800 Email: info@intereyecareop cians.co.uk www.intereyecareop cians.co.uk

Sleep Tight

A good night’s sleep is important for the body’s healing process, but many of us find it hard to achieve. If you have difficulty ge ng to sleep the following ps may help…

To sleep well, you’ll need a quiet, dark room. A temperature of 60 to 68 degrees is best for most people, even in winter.

Only eat light meals at night and at least 3 hours before bed. This will help ensure that the diges ve process is nearing comple on before you sleep.

Get up and go to bed around the same me, 7 nights a week. Waking and sleeping at regular mes reinforces a consistent sleep rhythm and reminds the brain when to release important sleep and wake hormones.

Turn off all screens, computers and iPads an hour or so before bed. Engage in quiet ac vi es that relax the body and calm the mind to begin the transi on to a sleep‐friendlier state.

Remove all electronics from the bedroom as light can stop your melatonin levels from rising – which is essen al to induce sleep and help you achieve the deep, restora ve rest your body needs.

Paula Reed FINALIST

Friendly, high quality dental care for all the family Established in 1984, we are proud of our reputation for friendly, caring and high quality dentistry that our patients can rely on at all times.

Our main aim is to help each of our valued patients look after and make the most of their smile through a wide choice of dental treatments delivered in an affordable, professional and convenient way.

Routine Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants • Invisible Braces Email us or call our friendly reception team on

01509 844118 or info@gorsecovertdental.co.uk if you would like to request an appointment

© SVL

Appointments available late evenings and Saturdays

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 39

Beauty and the Beach by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Whether you’re planning a stayca on, or a round the world trip, camping or a five-star hotel stay, read on for our pick of summer beauty essen als.

have been designed to lock moisture into the skin, while absorbing oil to keep shine at bay.

Choose from six shades, including coral (pictured).

For many of us, slapping on founda on is the last thing we fancy doing on a summer’s day. But if you s ll want some coverage, try a Blemish Balm (BB). Similar to a nted moisturiser, but with added benefits, a BB cream hydrates and primes your skin, while helping to even out your complexion. Pacifica Alight Mul Mineral BB Cream is a steal at just £16.99 from www. naturisimo.com. It’s perfect for crea ng that fresh‐faced glow.

You need to protect your skin from the sun all year around, but it’s even more vital in the warmer months. If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis or other skin complaints, you may want to opt for a natural sunscreen, that’s less likely to irritate your skin.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Chamomile & Aloe Vera Moisturising Sun Lo on gets our vote. It’s 100% natural, has an SPF of 25, and offers both UVA and UVB protec on. Usually, it’s best to buy a separate facial sun cream, as most body creams are quite greasy, leading to spots and skin irrita on. However, this lo on is gentle enough to be used all over, and is packed with nourishing ingredients, such as shea and coconut oils.

Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Bricks are a bit of a cult favourite, and the new Brightening Bricks (£34) look set to become just as popular.

You use them in much the same way as you would a blusher, but the mul ‐ tones help to avoid ‘Aunt Sally’ cheeks, and make for a far more natural, youthful effect. These

Page 40

some of them are under 100ml, if you want to keep them in your hand luggage when flying. Some sets even come complete with a see through bag, so there’s no

faffing around for a plas c bag at the airport check‐in. We like The Body Shop’s Travel Kit, £7, which has three bo les, two jars and a handy spatula.

Miniatures are, however, a great way to try new skincare ranges without forking out for a full sized product that might not suit your skin. If you’re looking to treat yourself to a new travel washbag to house all your new goodies, we’re lus ng a er the Orla Kiely Large Washbag in Floa ng Flower, which has three separate compartments and a hook to hang it up. Treat yourself for £32 at www.Cuckooland.com.

Ah the joys of trying to fit all of your make‐up and toiletries into your suitcase. Travel sized versions of your favourite toiletries can be much more expensive, per millilitre, than their big sisters. A cheaper op on is to invest in some refillable bo les. Do make sure that at least

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Liver or Age Spots Liver Spots or Solar Len go are generally associated with age, exposure to the sun and/or sunbed use.

These areas of pigmenta on range from pale to very dark brown and are common on the face, arms, hands, neck, chest and shoulders. On those with thinning hair, they can also develop on the scalp. They normally increase in number and size a er a person reaches the age of forty, hence the less fla ering term “Age Spots”.

to conceal with make‐up and those on the hands can be distressing because they are easily seen.

Prior to any treatment, it is advisable to have age spots seen by a G.P.

In spite of being benign and flat, many people consider them unsightly, especially as they are associated with aging. Dark ones can be very difficult

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Page 41

Pets Are Rabbits Really a Low Profile Pet?

As lovely as rabbits are, especially as a first pet, you may be surprised to know they can be just as costly and me-consuming to care for and dogs and cats.

When you calculate the cost of a rabbit hutch, food, straw and a run, it quickly adds up, so here are some facts you might want to consider before giving in to the children’s wishes: • Your rabbit will need exercise as much as any other pet, and a hutch on its own simply isn’t big enough. You’ll need to buy a rabbit run of around 8’ x 4’ to allow your rabbit the exercise it needs.

• Vets’ fees for regular checkups can be expensive, and aren’t covered by insurance.

Vaccina ons against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease will be needed.

• Flystrike is a par cular issue for rabbits. During warm weather they are prone to having flies lay eggs on their skin. These hatch into maggots, which if unno ced, feed on the rabbit’s flesh causing serious skin issues.

• Neutering is recommended by vets, and again, is not covered by pet insurance.

Bringing a rabbit inside the house means that you’ll need to supervise it carefully to make sure it doesn’t chew through cables and wires.

Rabbits also require daily grooming, especially longhaired breeds, as hair balls can be a problem if they block the stomach.

By Ann Haldon

• Dental problems are common ‐ up to 75% of household rabbits are diagnosed with dental disease according to Rabbit Awareness Week.

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Page 42

27 Cossington Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. LE12 7RW

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RSPCA Leicester Crisis Appeal We don’t ever want to turn an animal away please help us

Woodside’s 40th anniversary in 2015

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Page 43

Walking - Grange Lane Walk instruc ons 4 Miles

1 3/4 Hours

Find a parking space in Coston, on the B676 between Melton Mowbray and Colsterworth. It may be easier finding a space at the wide grass verge near point 6.

1 Head upslope away from the church towards Melton Mowbray and keep straight on when the road swings le . Con nue between hedges up this wide stony byway to where the track bears slight right and opens out into a field. Bear le on the wide track along the field edge with the hedge to the le to the yellow top marker post in the dip at the far le corner.

2 Take this substan al byway to the right, with the rows of trees to the le , to the staggered crossroads at King Street Lane.

3 Turn right and con nue along this byway between hedges, a er nearly a mile cross the road and keep straight on upslope to the footpath signpost on the right about 250yds before the road at a corner.

4 Turn right across the footbridge, up the field edge with the hedge to the right and out through the gap at the other end. Turn le along the grass verge of this surprisingly busy road to the junc on of roads.

5 Take the road right, signposted Wymondham and carry on along the immediate right hand fork for about half a mile to the spacious area at the entrance to the farm road, Grange Lane. There may be room here to use as a parking place although there is o en a large pile of something very smelly here.

6 Go down this farm road le of Grange Farm, the road curves right to join the main road. Turn le back to the church and your star ng point. © Clive Brown. All our walks are compiled by Clive Brown who holds the copyright.

All of his 74 walking guides are available at: www.walkingcloseto.com.

Or email Clive directly at walkingcloseto@yahoo.co.uk

Page 44

Email page? this Life Interested per month plus VAT – See page 5 £28steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk from in Soar Valley Adver insesponsoring

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Page 45

Beer of the Month Here’s something to think about as summer drinks come into vogue: lager and its Bri sh predecessor, pale ale, are both by-products of coalmining.

By the mid‐1600s Derbyshire maltsters had used up all the forests in the region and started using coke to dry their malt instead.

They found that it burnt more consistently and controllably than wood and produced malt that wasn’t charred or burned. This new pale malt‐made beer gradually caught on and

Burton became Britain’s brewing capital.

In the 1840s Bavarian and Czech brewers also started using coke instead of charcoal to produce light, clean, refreshing beers that eventually conquered Europe and, in due course, the world.

The beer‐style we loosely call lager has never been a “cra ” product. It’s mass produced and makes up 90% of the world’s beer today. So here are two industrial lagers from the countries that invented the style.

First, Staropramen at 5% alcohol from the massive Molson Coors‐ owned brewery in Prague. It’s a very light‐bodied beer, straw‐ coloured, with malt rather than hops domina ng both the nose

and palate. The finish is quite short, with some malty sweetness but, again, not much hop. Not a great deal of character, but pleasingly refreshing.

Krombacher at 4.8% from an old family‐ owned brewery in the Siegerland coal and steel region is Germany’s top‐selling pils.

Compared to Staropramen it’s paler, spritzier, with a hint of orange on the nose, and then massive hop bi erness in palate and finish, beau fully balanced by biscuity malt. A big beer from a big brewery – and a classic.

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Enjoy a free bottle of house wine with your Sunday lunch for any table of 4 or more! (Must include at least 2 adults.)

Visit www.whitehorseseagrave.co.uk for more details.

Page 46

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

© SVL

New Marriage Allowance At the start of the 2015/16 tax year the new Marriage Allowance came in to force and is available to married couples or those in a civil partnership.

A person earning less than £10,600 can transfer up to £1,060 of their personal allowance to their spouse or civil partner. The allowance can be used by the recipient if he or she does not pay more than the basic rate of income tax. The transfer will increase the recipient’s personal allowance up to £11,660 which could mean an income tax saving of £212 in the current tax year.

To receive the new Marriage Allowance you must register your interest on the Gov.uk website.

HM Revenue & Customs will then email you with details of what you need to do next. If you are successful the transfer will then take place every year un l you cancel it or your circumstances change.

If you are employed, your tax code will eventually be changed to 1166M or if you are self‐employed the allowance will be applied when you submit your tax return.

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Page 47

And Another Thing... by Tom Hughes My Sunday morning began like any other. Se led into my favourite chair with my brew, a slice of freshly bu ered toast and two episodes of Broadchurch on catch-up, I was just about to take my first sip of tea when in walked Sarah, closely followed

by Hannah and Emily.

Sarah, wearing a benevolent, concerned expression on her face gently relieved me of my steaming mug, sat down and said, “Tom, What we are about to say is said out of love and concern, nothing else.”

Then I realised what was happening, it was a family interven on! But an interven on about what?

Was my customary Friday night pint of mild down the Paraffin Lamp ge ng out of hand? Was my chocolate habit becoming a cause for concern? What could it be? I decided to confront the issue head on.

“Listen, if anyone is wondering why all the cream eggs keep disappearing, I want you all to know that from now on I promise to share the value pack with everyone else.”

A confused silence descended.

The three women in my life all stared at each other. Chocolate Eggs it seemed, were not the issue.

Sarah pressed on.

“We are gathered here today Tom to tell you that, well, you are a bit of a scruff.”

Page 48

“A what?”

Next to pipe up was Hannah.

“Yes Dad, look at that jumper, look at those jeans?”

“What’s wrong with them?”

“Dad, who wears hiking socks, walking shoes and a snood to the gym?”

“Yes Tom, the girls are embarrassed. Their friends are talking about you. You need a new wardrobe, urgently”, said Sarah.

Now, grab your coat and let’s go shopping! Err, on second thoughts, leave the coat, let’s just go.”

In the vast outlet clothes store I wandered aimlessly around, fingering the rails without a clue what I was doing.

Eventually I held up a pair of jeans with the very pleasing price tag of £24.99.

“Sarah, what about these?”

Sarah examined my choice.

“Well ok, I’ll go through my stuff and ‐ “

“You haven’t just grabbed the cheapest have you?”

“Too late, we’ve done it for you.”

Then Sarah, much to my dismay, produced a black bin liner full of my precious old clothes.

Sweatshirts, jeans and ‐ horror of horrors ‐ my Bruce Springsteen 2005 tour t‐shirt.

“Not at all.”

“Not the Boss! Please?”

“No Tom, this lot is off to the charity shop in the precinct.

“Right put them back and go try on these.”

I examined the pair picked by Sarah. To my untrained eye, they looked iden cal to the jeans I’d just chosen. Iden cal that is, except for the price.

Sarah’s were fi y pounds dearer.

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

“Why would I pay seventyfive pounds for something I can get for-twenty five, I just don’t…”

Grabbing the seat of the expensive jeans, Sarah pointed to a yellow logo stitched onto the rear pocket.

“Look! That’s why. They are designer.”

“So, they sew a little squiggle onto the pocket and they charge you treble the price? Are you being serious?”

The look from Sarah told me that yes, she was indeed being deadly serious. She picked out another pair from the rack, handed both of them over and pointed in the direction of the changing rooms. I sloped away to the curtained-off area where a glum-faced child

handed me an orange circle on which was printed a number two.

I battled with the first pair for what seemed like an age.

Eventually I gave up, deciding that in the words of my Auntie Joyce they “Wouldn’t go near me.” The second pair I actually managed to heave myself into. And a more uncomfortable pair of pants I couldn’t imagine. Baggy round the crotch and barely covering the posterior, I assumed that this particular “Designer” - in his hurry to stitch on the magic money squiggle, had stamped them with the wrong size.

Outside, I informed Sarah of the manufacturer’s error.

Sarah, shaking her head in defeat, flung back at me the cheap pair I

had originally chosen. I tried them on right there in the store. Of course, they fitted perfectly. Eye rolls from Sarah, a triumphant beam from her husband.

The next day Sarah arrived home from work to find me wearing the new jeans and another, different purchase.

“Tom! What are you doing wearing that tatty old Bruce Springsteen T-shirt? I thought I gave that thing away?”

“It’s very simple darling, yesterday afternoon, I decided to go to the charity shop and do my bit for cancer research...”

Follow Tom’s escapades at groomsdaybook.com Twitter @groomsdaybook

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Page 49

Spot Ten Differences

Answers on page 63

Open: Open: 8am 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year Rothely Park Rothley Park Kindergarten is a well established private day care nursery Kindergarten is a very well established celebrating 13 years of success.

Ourprivate bright, spacious, air-conditioned day care nursery celebrating 10 years of classrooms are designed and equipped to provide quality childcare in a success and continuing to deliver an stimulatingenvironment and enjoyable environment.

We offer 113 childcare places enhancing to alllearning the children and for children thequality ages of 6 weeks standards to 5 years.of such high calibre within the their parents.between We provide maintained provision.

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Our bright spacious and air conditioned classrooms designed and to equipped to practitioners deliver a second-to-none childcare are service tailored your child’s provide a quality child care provision, delivering a stimulating and enjoyable learning individual requirements. environment. We offer 113 childcare places between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years.

Limited Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year-olds. We also offer full

From the beginning Narinder Kaur, the nursery manager togetherfor with or part-time sessions as required, depending on availability, allher children professional nursery practitioners continue to deliver a quality childcare service, under the age of 5 years throughout the year and during school holidays. tailoring to your child’s individual requirements.

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Page 50

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Answers on page 63

Everything under the sun Sunrise & Sunset Times Date

Sun Rise

Sun Set

Hours of Daylight

08‐Jun‐15

04:43

21:25

16h 42m 17s

15‐Jun‐15

04:40

21:30

16h 49m 27s

22‐Jun‐15

04:41

21:32

16h 51m 19s

29‐Jun‐15

04:44

21:32

16h 48m 14s

06‐Jul‐15

04:49

21:30

16h 39m 58s

13‐Jul‐15

04:46

21:22

16h 27m 07s

20‐Jul‐15

05:05

21:16

16h 10m 21s

27‐Jul‐15

05:15

21:06

15h 50m 20s

Phases of the Moon Date

Moonrise Moonset

Phase

02‐Jun‐15

20:24

05:49

Full Moon @ 17:19

09‐Jun‐15

01:08

12:40

Last Quarter @ 16:42

16‐Jun‐15

05:03

21:02

New Moon @ 15:05

24‐Jun‐15

13:15

00:47

First Quarter @ 12:03

02‐Jul‐15

21:24

05:30

Full Moon @ 03:19

08‐Jul‐15

00:09

13:03

Last Quarter @ 21:24

16‐Jul‐15

05:43

21:07

New Moon @ 02:24

24‐Jul‐15

14:12

00:00

First Quarter @ 05:04

31‐Jul‐15

20:39

05:29

Full Moon @ 11:43

The Naked Eye Planets June: Venus enters twilight this month and loses some of its awe.

But if you view it through a small telescope you will see it changing shape from half lit like a first or last quarter moon to a fat gibbous crescent ‐ because Venus is between us and the Sun it goes through phases a bit like the moon does. Meanwhile Jupiter lies to the le of Venus and trundles slowly from Cancer to Leo and eventually catches up with Venus on June 30th and will be about 2/3rds of a moon’s breadth away from each other.

Page 52

Summer Sols ce Summer Sols ce (some mes also referred to as Midsummer) falls between June 21st‐22nd, and celebrates the longest day and shortest night of the year, the sun reaching its highest point in the northern hemisphere, and the very pinnacle of summer‐ me.

Midsummer is celebrated with a variety of different tradi ons and celebra ons around the world – and indeed around our own country, with par es commonly held from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to the Cornish coast, and in par cular at Stonehenge, where tens of thousands gather every year for an all‐day fes val, watching the sun rise early on 21st June and celebra ng the longest day with everything from quiet observa ons to full‐on fes vi es.

The ligh ng of bonfires o en forms a big part of the culture, celebra ng the burning light of the sun and mirroring it, a tradi on stemming from pagan and Cel c roots.

In addi on to having huge Pagan significance, the sols ce is relevant too to some branches of Buddhism and those who prac ce Yoga, in which Sun Saluta ons o en play an important role and the sun is something very much worthy of reverence.

The sols ce can be explained by the angle of the earth’s axis, the lt of which is the reason we experience our four seasons each year. When the axis lts towards the sun during the summer months we know here in the UK, winter is of course in the southern hemisphere, rota ng en rely by the me we reach the opposite end of the year.

Saturn keeps a respectable distance away and sets around 3.30 am.

July: Venus and Jupiter are almost conjoined on 1st July being only half a degree apart and very low in the North‐West just a er sunset. If you can look through a telescope at Venus she will resolve into a fine crescent.

Saturn has the later evening sky all to itself at Mag + 0.4 in Libra and sets around 1.30 am.

Mercury and Mars, being too close to the Sun this month, are not visible.

August: Saturn is the sole bright planet in the early evening sky se ng about 11.30 pm. You’ll find the ringed planet in the constella on of Libra and is the brightest of two objects in the south‐west ‐ the other being the red giant Antares. If you have a telescope you’ll see the rings of Saturn in a splendid aspect. Mars rises at about 4 am, and becomes prominent during the month as the Sun rises later. Venus reappears beaming at mag ‐ 4.2 during the last few days of August.

Mercury and Jupiter are lost in the Sun’s glare throughout August.

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Page 53

Museum to the Future The Great Central Railway, The Na onal Railway Museum and Leicester City Council have announced that plans for a new railway museum in the city are firmly on track...

The new a rac on “Main Line” will see iconic locomo ves on display and tell the story of how the railways changed the city. It has received earmarked funding of £9.5M from the Heritage Lo ery Fund. This means the project meets all the criteria for the Heritage Lo ery Funding body and that they believe the plans can deliver high‐quality value for lo ery money to be used.

The building will sit alongside the Leicester North terminus of the Great Central Railway, with heritage trains arriving alongside the exhibi ons. Development funding of just under £500,000 has also been awarded to help the partnership progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.

“We are thrilled by the support from the Heritage Lo ery Fund,”

said Bill Ford, Managing Director of the Great Central Railway.

“Main Line will combine our award winning double track main line railway with a unique collec on of priceless locomo ves and objects, preserving them for future genera ons. The museum will not only tell railway stories, but will aim to engage people with their own history, so they are inspired to be heritage champions in future.”

The building will be designed with floor to ceiling glass windows.

Close up views of trains arriving at the adjacent sta on will provide a drama c context for the sta c exhibits. Personal histories and small objects will help interpret the railways’ role in everyday life and how they transformed the city, helping businesses boom and communi es change. City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said, “This news means that we’re a step closer to crea ng an exci ng new visitor a rac on that will preserve and showcase the city’s rich railway heritage, while crea ng important new jobs. ‘Main Line’ will house

items which are of both na onal importance and local interest, complemen ng the nearby Na onal Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Sta on and helping to enhance Leicester’s reputa on as a visitor des na on. We’re extremely proud to be part of this partnership and delighted by the support of the Heritage Lo ery Fund, which is another clear vote of confidence in the city.”

300 short‐term construc on jobs will be created while the museum is built and 9 full‐ me posts once open. As part of the bid process an economic impact study has been carried out which demonstrates the museum and railway will be worth £39million for the local economy over five years. In turn this addi onal spending could create more than 700 jobs in the area. The exhibits will be drawn from the pres gious na onal railway collec on, which is predominantly focussed on two sites in the north. Paul Kirkman, Director of the Na onal Railway Museum said, "We're delighted that the plans for this exci ng

Ar st’s impression of the steam locomo ve ‘Butler Henderson’ arriving at the new Main Line Na onal Railway Museum to be situated adjacent to Leicester North Railway Sta on

Page 54

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project are firmly on track.

Leicester had one of the world's earliest railways. It was also a hub of the Midland line.

When the GCR opened in 1899 it was a calling point on the high speed railway of the me. The new museum will ensure that key parts of the na onal collec on are accessible at the heart of the country for the first me, but just as important we hope to inspire a new genera on to get involved in our na on’s railway story. This is a project with strong local connec ons but with benefits that will be felt na onally."

Work has already been undertaken to ensure the museum properly reflects the diverse communi es it will serve, with the project team recognising that valuable social history will be lost if it isn’t recorded. Atul Patel, Trustee at the Heritage Lo ery Fund, said: “The Great Central has had a las ng impact on industrial and cultural life in this area and this investment will con nue the railway’s important role. Thanks to Na onal Lo ery players, a world class museum will now be created providing a new home to some of our most significant objects and archives which together tell the story of the Bri sh railways. Alongside nearby a rac ons, the new museum will help to establish the city as a major tourism des na on, and a ract wider audiences.”

The Main Line museum will work in synergy with the Great Central Railway’s event programme and provide greater opportunity for local schools and communi es to

From Le to right: Atul Patel (HLF trustee), Sir Peter Soulsby (Leicester City Mayor), Bill Ford (MD of GCR), Nick Rushden (Chief Execu ve, Leicestershire CC), Bill Woolley (Advisory Board member of LCC).

engage in learning ac vi es. A key element will be to demonstrate how the tremendous feats of Victorian engineering can s ll inspire the engineers of the future.

Following the comple on of the separate Great Central Railway reunifica on project, the museum will be accessible by rail from right across the East Midlands and the country. Culture Secretary John Whi ngdale said: “Na onal Lo ery money con nues to make an absolutely vital contribu on to our culture and heritage in the UK. I'm thrilled that nine exci ng projects across England and Scotland will benefit from a significant £98m investment.

"Whether it’s a new railway museum in Leicester, the Lovell Telescope at Cheshire’s Jodrell Bank or saving the UK’s most vulnerable sound recordings at the Bri sh Library ‐ these grants will not only make a las ng difference to local areas and the UK’s wider heritage, but will also use culture to inspire young people to learn more about science and technology for genera ons to come.” Bill Ford concluded, “Now the hard work really starts! We have a great partnership in place and will now look to secure match funding to develop the project to the point where we are ready to build it.”

The partnership will be required to make a further bid to the Heritage Lo ery Fund to confirm the full grant award. Main Line, could be open in 2019.

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Page 55

Golden Years by Ted Bruning Memories of 50 Years Ago Quite a few middle-class breakfasts must have been ruined when the newspapers of 11th June 1965 were opened. For the news was truly shocking. The Beatles were to receive MBEs in the Birthday Honours List!

It’s difficult at this distance – and almost impossible for people who weren’t around at the me – to realise what a big deal this was.

And if anything it seems comical that so many re red colonels sent their medals back to the Palace in disgust.

What blimps these outraged fuddy‐duddies must have been, we think today; and the apocalyp c language with which they expressed their horror – the Beatles were “vulgar numbskulls”, snarled one; Britain would fall “even deeper into interna onal ridicule and contempt”, howled another; and the word “debased” appeared over and over again – makes them seem even more so.

As for the newly‐elected Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who had put the Fab Four up for their gongs, he was vilified as subver ng the honours system and trying to curry favour with the young.

But how wrong those cri cisms were, for this was not an act of subversion, but of absorp on.

The Beatles had become hugely successful dollar earners, with nine US number one singles and four US number one albums to their credit so far, as well as the crea on of an enormous American market for other Bri sh acts; and that made them part of the Establishment and en tled to all the honours that came with it.

The Beatles themselves sensed this and seem to have been uneasy over it. John Lennon

Page 56

reportedly worried about being seen as a sell‐out and had to be talked into accep ng his MBE by Brian Epstein; and the Lovable Moptops famously tried to make a pantomime of their inves ture that October, turning up in John’s psychedelic Rolls‐ Royce, wearing unconven onal suits, smoking a joint in the Palace loos (later and rather unconvincingly denied), and trying (and failing) to banter with the Queen.

Four years later John confirmed that he had never been happy with the whole business when he returned his medal – without a trace of irony! – in protest at Britain’s involvement in the Vietnam and Biafran wars. So perhaps it was the shocking headlines of 11th June 1965 and the events that followed that spurred the Beatles into escaping from the curse of light entertainment – of Saturday morning children’s TV shows, of guest slots on Lulu (or, worse, a show of their own), of Royal Command Performances, of touring unto exhaus on. Once “Help!” was finished later that year they put the three‐minute love‐songs (albeit the superior and beau fully cra ed three‐ minute love‐songs) of the first half

of their career behind them and started exploring their talent in earnest.

And then Brian Epstein died; and although his death was tragically un mely (and although he was no showbiz monster to compare with the likes of Larry Parnes or Simon Cowell) it did finally complete the process that had started at Buckingham palace of freeing the Beatles from the light entertainment treadmill that had ruined so many of their great contemporaries – notably Dusty Springfield – and le them with nothing to do but create. So perhaps, ul mately, we have Harold Wilson to thank for The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be.

Happy 50th Birthdays to Damien Hirst (7th), Elizabeth Hurley (10th), and Garry Pallister (30th).

Cake and botox to you all!

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Page 59

What’s On in and around The Soar Valley: Compiled by Chris Easom of ‘Things to do Leicester’ See our ‘What’s On’ page at www.soarvalleylife.co.uk which is updated every few days.

Open Gardens Sutton Bonington and Kingston on Soar SATURDAY 20th June & SUNDAY 21st June from 2.00pm to 6.00pm Admission £4.00 per adult ‐ covers both days.

Accompanied children and wheelchair users free.

Around 35 varied gardens open to visitors.

Refreshments, plant sales and stalls. Proceeds to Cancer research.

Full details in programmes on sale in the Pasture Lane Stores, The Gallery and the Post Office in Sutton Bonington during June, and in the villages during both afternoons Thurcaston and Cropston SATURDAY 27th June & SUNDAY 28th June from 2.00pm to 6.00pm Around 20 very varied gardens for you to visit across the two villages. Refreshments, plant sales, plant swap, children’s activities. All proceeds will go to LOROS. Tickets available from any Open Garden and valid for both days. Further details may be obtained from www.tcog.org.uk or phone Linda on 0116 236 3872 or Richard Elks on 0116 236 8313.

Wymeswold SATURDAY 27th June & SUNDAY 28th June from 2.00pm to 6.00pm 20 diverse gardens, plant and garden accessory stalls, refreshments, home‐made cakes & ice creams, live music and entertainment. Plus 2 friendly village pubs and a fine restaurant. Toilets and free parking. Event proceeds support a variety of charities and local churches www.facebook.com/WymeswoldOpenGardens

The Great Central Railway Summer 2015:

Booking Office for all enquiries: 01509 632323 www.gcrailway.co.uk

Dining trains

Charnwood Forester every Saturday evening. Sumptuous 6 course dinner served aboard first class restaurant cars hauled by historic steam loco. Booking essen al. £49 per person.

The South Yorkshireman Every Saturday Lunch me 4 course luncheon served aboard first class restaurant cars steam

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Summer Fayre and Fun Afternoon ­ Organised by Hall Orchard Primary School and supported by PTFA SATURDAY 13th June 12.30pm to 3.30pm A wonderful afternoon of fun and excitement including a wide variety of attractions and amusement for all the family. Hall Orchard CE Primary School, Church Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leics. LE12 8HP Admission: £1.00 Adults / 50p Kids / £3.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 4 kids) School Telephone: 01509 412188 / Email reception@hall‐orchard.leics.sch.uk Barn Dance - In Aid of The Ear Foundation SATURDAY 13th June - Open from 7.30pm to 11.00pm Come along for a great night of fun and laughs. Enjoy a traditional Barn Dance, courtesy of Janet and Keith Bonser and the band "Reel Easy".

Cedars Farm, Butt Lane, Normanton on Soar, Leics. LE12 5EE Admission: £12.00 Adults / £6.00 Children (+8yrs) includes Live Band & Caller plus Supper Contact Jo Collinson at The Ear Foundation 0115 942 1985 / Email info@earfoundation.org.uk for tickets or contact Brian Archbold on 01509 842341 ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Performed by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company SUNDAY 21st June – Doors Open 4.30pm for 6.00pm Start A comedy play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1596.

Outdoor Theatre, Bradgate House Ruins,

hauled. Booking essen al. £39 per person The Elizabethan Every Sunday lunch me from 1:15pm.

Sumptuous 4 course lunch, steam hauled in first class Restaurant cars. Booking essen al ‐ £40 per person Griddle Car 10am, 12am, 2.15pm & 4.15pm Saturdays and Sundays What be er way to start the day than with a hearty Great Central All Day Breakfast, with eggs, bacon, Cumberland sausages, black pudding, fried bread, sauté potatoes and tomatoes, all served aboard a steam train? For breakfast connoisseurs, our griddle

car service provides this veritable feast all day long.

Murder Mystery evenings Fridays June 12th & 26th July 10th & 24th, August 7th & 14th, September 11th & 25th. £62 per person includes 5 course gourmet meal, steam hauled first class restaurant cars, departs 7.30pm Spanish Evening Friday 28th August, £45 per person 5 course Spanish themed meal served

Interested in sponsoring our What’s On pages here and on our website with your company branding? Email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

What’s On in and around The Soar Valley: Compiled by Chris Easom of ‘Things to do Leicester’ See our ‘What’s On’ page at www.soarvalleylife.co.uk which is updated every few days.

Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leics. LE6 0HE Admission: Tickets are available online at www.seetickets.com and from the Bradgate Park Conservatory Tearoom. For more details see website www.bradgatepark.org/outdoor‐theatre‐in‐ the‐ruins‐of‐bradgate‐house/ Leicestershire Parrot Club - 10 Year Celebration THURSDAY 25th June - Event starts at 7.30pm Calling all parrot owners out there! Come along with your parrot and celebrate the occasion with us. We are a friendly group of parrot enthusiasts. New members are very welcome. John Hayward from the Parrot Society UK will give a talk on lost birds and the process required for the owner to identify the found bird. Raffle and refreshments are available.

Co-op Sports & Social Club, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4DE Admission: Free Contact Lynda Wesson Tel: 01509 236569 or 07808 046255 / Email: Lynda.wesson@sky.com For more details about the Leics. Parrot Club, visit their website www.leicestershireparrotclub.org.uk or follow on Facebook Open Day At Quebec Farm Organised by Friends Of St Mary’s Church, Sileby SATURDAY 27th June - Open from 10.00am to 2.00pm Curios, Woodland Walks, Tea/Coffee & Cake plus Light Lunches.

Quebec Farm, Seagrave Road, Sileby, Leics. LE12 7NH Admission: £2.50 ‐ Children Free aboard steam hauled first class restaurant cars.

Wine & Dine Wednesdays June 24th, July 22nd and August 26th £38 per person. Four course meal served in first class restaurant cars and includes a complimentary bo le of wine.

Departs 7.30 and returns by 10pm.

The GCR Model Event 35,000 square feet marquee is the centre piece housing 60 leading layouts and 40 leading

Richard Hill School Tercentenary Gala Day SATURDAY 27th June - Open from 12.00noon to 4.00pm Richard Hill Primary School will be holding a ‘Gala Day’ celebrating being in existence for 300 years.

Richard Hill C of E Primary School, 12 Anstey Lane, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JA Contact details ‐ Tel: 0116 2340212 / E‐Mail: office@richardhill.leics.sch.uk Summer Fundraiser – In aid of Cancer Research UK SATURDAY 4th July - Open from 10.30am to 4.30pm Prize Draw, cake stall, books, bric a brac and coffee/tea with biscuits will be available. All proceeds to Cancer Research UK. 2 The Osiers, Mill Lane, Kegworth, Leics. DE74 2GD Contact: Paula Wood (Local Honorary Organiser for Cancer Research UK) Email: paula.wood9@btinternet.com Rothley Bowling Open Day SUNDAY 12th July - Open from 12.00noon to 4.00pm A very warm welcome is extended to all. Equipment is provided ‐ just wear flat soled shoes. Come and "have a go" and see what bowling is all about at a very friendly club. Light refreshments will be served during the day. ‘Chummy Evenings’ are also held every Wednesday from 4.30 pm onwards for anyone interested.

Rothley Bowling Club, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, Leics. LE7 7PT Further details may be obtained from the Club Captains: Carole Ballantine 0116 2302629 / Geoff Porter 0116 2103210 or 0116 2303856 / Club Secretary Mrs Carole Law 0116 2990178 Email thelaws@ntlworld.com

industry suppliers. £15 including all day rail cket.

Exhibits at all sta ons.

Diesel Running Weekend 11th & 12th July 2015 Normal GCR fares apply.

Morris Minor Rally Sunday 16th August 10am to 4pm at Quorn & Woodhouse Sta on Yard. Bring your own Moggy Minor and travel at reduced fares on the day Teddy Bears Holiday Express £25 for a family of 5 Bear‐trice and Billy bear depart from

Loughborough at intervals throughout the day. Ac vi es at every stop on the way.

Book early as this is very popular. 28th, 29th & 30th July, and 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th 12th & 13th August.

Picnic boxes available at Butler Henderson Café Quorn. Mini Funfair at Rothley. Cra ac vi es and colouring at Leicester North & Ted's treasure hunt & Face pain ng at Greenacres.

Interested in sponsoring our What’s On pages here and on our website with your company branding? Email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

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Driver Experience Day Winner Congratula ons to Mr Roy S. Hilton of Wymeswold whose entry in the above compe on was the first correct answer to be drawn out of the hat a er the closing date.

The eight word phrase in our Occupa ons Wordsearch was one of the many wi cisims of Oscar Wilde: “Work is the curse of the drinking classes.”

Roy wins a Silver Driver Experience Day on the Great Central Railway worth £555 See page 59 to win Carpet Cleaning by Ecoclean in our Dog Wordsearch!

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