Syston Town News June 2024

The Food Warehouse Opens in Syston

Iceland Foods has officially opened a brand-new The Food Warehouse store in Syston, Leicester, with 123customers eagerly waiting in line from 5.30am for the store to open its doors.

The highly anticipated new store, situatedin Melton Road,Syston, opened to the public on Tuesday 21st May bringing with it an estimated

Local Calor Stockist

LE7 1NR Tel 0116 269 2135

29additional jobs to the local community.

To celebrate the grand opening, Iceland’s Leicester store gave away £1,000 worth of store vouchers to the first 100 customers in the queue as well as a free 1.2kg tub of Jellybeans to the first 200 customers through the checkout. Alongside this, every customer who joined the queue before 7.45am on Tuesday morning received a free raffle ticket which saw two winners take home a NutriPro Blender, two more receive a Tower Air Fryer and an additional three customers win a JML hamper.

Three other lucky shoppers also won the chance to take part in a 90 second supermarket sweep-style trolley dash around the entire empty store, filling their trolleys for free.

One of the sweep-style trolley dash winners, Chris Freeman pictured above right after the dash, generously donated all their winnings from the dash to the local food bank.Chris is a member of the Wreake Valley Rotary Club and told the Stn that a lady in the queue swapped her ticket with him as she couldn’t take part in the dash due to

her not being able to walk very well, so he swapped and took part in the dash, then she won an air fryer on what had been his ticket! He donated the winnings to Soar Valley and Mountsorrel Food bank, a total of £136.90.

Rhys Bifulco, Store Manager, pictured far left with his team at Syston, LeicesterThe Food Warehouse, said: “We’re so pleased to welcome Leicestershoppers to our brand new The Food Warehouse store. Everyone was so excited for the grand opening – people were even in the queue from5.30am in the morning!

If you haven’t been down yet, make sure to check out our brand-new store and get your hands on some unmissable bargains!”

Kristian Barrett, Group Retail Director

Continues on page 2

Stn Picture

Photo by Jason Senior - Redpix

Photo by Jason Senior - Redpix

Continued from Front page

at Iceland Foods, said: “We’re thrilled to have opened our new Leicester store, ensuring even more local residents can get their hands on market-leading deals, alongside a brilliant range of frozen, grocery and fresh foods.”

The new The Food Warehouse store inSyston, Leicesterwill offer multibuy offers, like 3 for £3, 3 for £5 and 3 for £10 deals, alongside exclusive The Food Warehouse ranges such as Slimming World, Cathedral City, TGI Fridays and more. Customers can find further Iceland offers such as these on the Iceland Bonus CardApp.

Syston Flood Fund

The store will be open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 9pm, and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Local residents interested in applying

As a former resident of Syston and working every day for the Council it was sad to witness the devastating effects on homes and businesses following the recent series of floods, with some

residents still unable to return to their houses and others in fear each time we get a heavy downpour.

At the moment homeowners can only access a small pot of money from the Government via Charnwood Borough Council but this is nowhere near enough to compensate for the amount of damage caused since October last year.

I have therefore decided to run the (Old) York Marathon on 20th October, 23 years after I ran the New York marathon, to help raise as much money as possible for the people of Syston who find themselves through no fault of their own in need.

If you would like to make a donation

please visit my JustGiving page https:// www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ systonfloodfund or feel free to spread the word. Now the training starts, I will try and keep supporters updated via my page.

Neil Skinner

Photos by Jason Senior - Redpix

Photos by Jason Senior - Redpix

Wordsearch Winners

The images here show our word search winners of the

Joshua and Emily presented with their prizes by Tracey, shown above and Niall and Louie were presented with theirs by Rie, shown below.

I think this is the first time that we have had a set of twins from one family and brothers from another! Well done to them all and look out for another wordsearch in the summer issues.

Thank you to TESCO Syston for supporting this competition.

Good Vehicle Operator’s Licence

trading as Forge Garage Car Sales

of 1098 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2HA

is applying for a licence to use:

1098 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester. LE7 2HA as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicle and 0 trailers

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operation centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice.

Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice.

A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.

THE POWER OF PRINT

Social media is great but print lasts!

Cut through the digital noise with an advert in the Syston Town News

To advertise

contact 0116 269 3221 fiona@systontownnews.co.uk

Pharmacie Arms Receives CAMRA

Suburban Pub of the Year

Award

On Thursday 9th May, Dave Noseley and his colleague (pictured left) at the local micro-pub, The

Pharmacie Arms, were awarded with the ‘CAMRA Leicester Pub Of The Year 2024’ as joint winners with Mill Hill Cask & Coffee in Enderby, in the Suburban Category.

CAMRA is the Campaign for Real Ale and is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations in Europe. They represent beer and pub-goers across the UK.

From 7pm, the local residents of Syston started to gather at The Pharmacie Arms to celebrate this achievement with the team and everyone was in high spirits. There were many happy and smiling faces and eventually it was a standing room only by the time the

award was presented.

Receiving this award is a huge honour and it was an absolute pleasure to be able to go and share this moment with everyone and catch up with some familiar faces.

Congratulations to Dave Noseley and the team at The Pharmacie Arms from Fiona and Myself at the Stn

By Deanna Johnson

New Barkby W.I.

President of New Barkby W.I, Shirley Franklin, welcomed members to the institutes May meeting.

‘Jerusalem’ was sung before a small amount of business was brought to the attention of the members.

Following on from this, members enjoyed a fish-and-chip supper, organised by Angela Montague and collected from a local ‘chippy’ by Louisa Chapman assisted by two workers at the shop.

After the meal, the meeting became the focal point for the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI’s) resolution, to be discussed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in London in June.

The resolution is that “there is a chronic shortage of National Heath Service (NHS) dentists; The NFWI

calls for increased training and retention of dentists, and to review present contracts, so that everyone can access an NHS dentist, Wherever they live.”

Members listened to the information provided by Angelica Montague and Jean Brutnall and then voted ‘For’ the resolution, also giving the delegate representing New Barkby, a discretionary vote, if necessary, or appropriate.

Shirley thanked Angela and Jean for leading the debate.

Afterwards, there was a small amount of time left for members to enjoy some social time.

The Competition for ‘Something Fishy’ was won by Cilla Lane with a dish in the shape of a fish.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 5th June, 7.30pm at Syston Community Centre.

Our Speaker will be Michael Elliot of the National Trust and Conservation of Stoneywell.

Visitors are always welcome to attend.

Advertise Your Business in Our Award

Syston Conservative Club

59 High Street, Syston

Why not book our Large Function Room

The Malt House Suite for Wedding Receptions and Parties

We Have Two Full Sized Snooker Tables in the Club

Quiz Nights:

Sunday 9th June Sunday 14th July

Bingo is played every Thursday 9pm and Saturday 8.30pm - Wednesday afternoon bingo starts 2pm doors open 1pm

We are also now the headquarters of the Syston and District Royal British Legion. Meetings will be held on the third Sunday of each month at 1pm

Slimming World

Helen 9.30am and 11.30am

Mob: 0794 912 3898

Clive 3.30pm, 5.15pm and 7pm Mob: 0790 983 7215

A good selection of Beers, Wines and Spirits. Friendly Bar Staff

Members Children allowed in the Lounge until 9pm (Under parental control)

New Membership is Available

Tel: 0116 260 5775

Tales from the Plot June

As I’m writing this it seems ridiculous because we’ve had the wettest coldest beginning of the year I can ever remember. Because of the cold everything that I have planted has taken some time to establish itself and get going. Nature and the climate have a habit of giving you a challenge in one way or another every year.

I’ve really struggled this year, have set seeds in the same way as I have for many years but this year germination has been pretty awful, I think it’s just a combination of the cold, wet and the peat free compost we now use. Sweetcorn has been a prime example, there always used to be 50 seeds in a packet I would set all 50 and usually get about 45 come up, this year the packet now only has 30 seeds in and I literally only had about five come up……I’ve ended up purchasing another packet of seeds and set those, I’ll let you know if they do any better but sadly so far it’s not looking good. The lettuce I’ve set the seeds of start to show their heads above the compost and just die off, I’m beginning to think it has to be a problem with the compost, I keep trying different varieties. Hopefully I’ll stumble upon reasonably priced compost that works.

June was always known as flaming June and is normally atime of year our plants need more water. Soils that are rich in well rotted organic matter are the best for retaining moisture as the organic matter acts like a sponge. Mulches are great for retaining moisture and when applied to already damp soils, mulches reduce requirements for water. I mulch everything with leaves, grass cuttings

and wood shavings out of my chicken coop etc. This not only means less watering, it can mean less weeding!

Water butts are a must all year round, but especially so in the heat of summer, rainwater is far better than tap water it also saves the trudging backwards and forwards to the water troughs so I save as much as I can.

My leeks have been growing undercover so far, it’s normally this time of year I put them in their final growing position. I’m going to try and keep them covered this year. I’ve also planted marigolds around where they’ll be grown -all in an attempt to keep the allium leaf miner away from them - last year they were devastated by this pest. It was never heard of in this country but over the last 10 years or so it has migrated north and I’m told now infects crops in Scotland so giving alliums protection is a must.

Potatoes are all in and showing their heads, sadly the weeds are also in full production and hoeingis never more important than now, if I can just whip over with the hoe at least once a week then normally I can keep on top of things. I always try and space my crops wide enough to get a hoe between them otherwise it can be a backbreaking, soul destroying job plucking them out by hand.

Pinch the top out of broad beans about now, this helps with the black fly -I still use a few drops of washing up liquid with some rape seed oil added, about a tablespoon to a half litre squirt bottle, but this has to be done daily for a week because you have to kill several generations to get them. My nest box has a thriving blue tit family nesting, a real joy to see the parent birds working in tandem to feed the young chicks. The box is situated about 10ft off the ground. It’s a great reminder that our plots can be important wildlife havens, many allotments are in urban areas where green spaces can be in short supply for wildlife.

All now seems to be going well so hopefully soon we’ll be reaping the rewards of the work we have put in so far this year.

Richard Thorpe Syston Allotments 15b

IAN DAVISON

TESCO - Stronger Starts

Stronger Starts is Tesco’s blue token voting scheme in store, where local groups and organisations can apply for funding to complete a project and Tesco customers decide through voting who receives the most funding.

Since 2016, the Tesco Community Grants (Blue token voting) programme has awarded over £100m in funding to over 50,000 local organisations. Insight from Groundwork UK (Tesco’s partner who delivers the grant programme) and their customers, highlighted that focusing donations and partnering with local schools and young children would have genuine and significant impact.

As a result, Tesco will now focus their support on funding schools and projects supporting young children. This programme which is framed in positivity is named Stronger Starts and replaces Tesco’s Community Grants.

Stronger Starts Key Facts

• £5.3m a year funding available in Stronger starts for schools and groups supporting children.

• Over 5,000 schools ad groups supporting young children will be supported

• Across the next 3 years, Tesco aim to support 1 million children with a stronger start in life

• Funding is available to boost funds for healthy food and actives that support physical health and mental wellbeing

• Programme is still in partnership with Groundwork UK

• Customers vote for projects in store using the blue tokens but 2 out of 3 projects will be schools and/or groups supporting children

• £2.7m funding is still available for all other local causes, projects and groups and these will fill the third voting slot in store

How the programme works

Schools and groups can apply for a grant and if successful they will go into the in store vote.

There are four voting rounds each year (dates vary):

January - March

April - June

July - September

October - December

Throughout the three month voting period, customers can pick up a blue token and vote for their favourite project in the voting unit in store. Grants are based on the voting results

1st Place will receive up to £1,500 (dependent on how much the group applied for)

2nd Place will receive £1,000 3rd place will receive £500

Each store is in a voting region and there are 650 voting regions across the country. Each region consists of a handful of stores, a mix of both Large and Convenience. Some regions, due to their location, are one store regions. Its important to remember that just because a school or group won the vote in your store, this may not mean they won the vote across the region.

All votes are added together and the winners are communicated with via MyWork once they have been verified.

If you are a school or group supporting children, or any other community group, cause or project you can apply to be included in the programme via: www.tescostrongerstarts.org.uk

QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS

Brooksby Gardening Club

After our talk last month we certainly know a lot more about the good the bad and the ugly bugs in our gardens, several I had never heard of but still no answer to move the ants from their nests in my lawn or from the doorstep where they have eaten away the cement to gain entry into the house.

On June 26th we will be celebrating our 45th Anniversary with David Wild formerly a lecturer at Brooksby College and long time supporter of our club. Several of our long standing members benefited from his knowledge on amateur gardening courses held at the College, no doubt there will be much talk of past highlights – and expectations of more to come.

Over the summer we are to visit Elton House, Whitehouse Farm, Ingarsby and Burghley House, three diverse gardens to give us inspiration and maybe the desire to dig up our own and start again.

Hope we all have good weather and good conditions whatever we grow, enjoy your own gardens and their harvests, we are all off on the Club holiday on 17th May so more time to enjoy each others company with not fisherman's tales but gardener’s gossip. Happy summer.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood 2024/25

Councillor Julie Bradshaw MBE, pictured above with Mayoress Julie Ellerbeck.

Cllr Bradshaw was born in Blackpool, Lancashire and moved to Loughborough to study PE, Sports Science and History at Loughborough University in 1983. She then completed her PGCE, and then a Masters of Science degree.

A Charnwood resident ever since, Cllr Bradshaw then went on to teach in a number of schools across the region. She lectured at Loughborough University for over 16 years before becoming a Psychotherapist and Life Coach in 2000.

Cllr Bradshaw has a sporting interest and has undertaken a number of long distance and marathon swims.

At the age of 15, the Mayor swam the English Channel solo and in 2002, set a new and current world record with her solo butterfly swim whilst raising thousands of pounds for charity. She also completed the fastest documented female butterfly solo swim around the 28.5 mile Manhattan Island course in the USA in 2011.

In 2006, Cllr Bradshaw was awarded an MBE after being named in the New Year’s Honours list for ‘Services to Swimming and Charity’ and also received an Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University the same year.

Cllr Bradshaw will be representing Charnwood at hundreds of events over the next year and will be supported by Mayoress Julie Ellerbeck.

The Mayor said: “This is an extremely proud moment to be appointed as the Mayor of this wonderful borough and I am so looking forward to representing Charnwood over the next 12 months.

“What makes it extra special, is being appointed as Mayor in Charnwood’s 50th year and it will be a huge honour to meet lots of different people who do so much in our community.”

Opening Hours: Tuesday 4.00pm to 10.00pm

Wednesday to Friday 12noon to 2.00pm and 4.00pm to 10.00pm Saturday 12noon to 10.00pm Sunday 12noon to 7.00pm

Food Served: Wednesday to Saturday 12noon to 2.00pm

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 6.00pm to 8.30pm

Sunday 12noon to 3.00pm

Friday and Saturday - Steak & Wine Night from £40 per couple

Quiz held every Thursday 7.30pm Music Quiz every 1st Thursday of the month.

We can cater for rambling groups, family get together’s, plus we offer a buffet package for parties and funeral teas.

A very friendly cosy atmosphere welcoming dogs and muddy shoes too.

We have a beautiful courtyard to enjoy the summer sun with friends and family. Our premium drinks menu including cask and craft ales available from our bar.

Book Now for Father’s Day

For bookings and further information please contact Hannah on 0116 259 5571

Exciting News from the Baldwin Trust!

The Baldwin Trust have been providing boat trips to the community for over 30 years and year on year, our trips have become more and more popular, especially with those facing various challenges in their lives.

Last season we provided trips for over 2000 people -quite a task for a charity run by volunteers!

Very soon we will be launching a brand-new website and booking

Beardsley’s Tea Room Update

When I last wrote in the Stn, we were approachingthe festive period. As I write this, following a lovely hot week in May that seems like a lifetime ago, and certainlylots have changed for us in that time.

I've been making more and more appearances as I returnfrom maternity leave, and we've recently welcomed a new addition to the team - Leanne.

Whilst known to some of our customers through her wealth of hospitality experience todate,or her family connections in the village, she's

system, to keep pace with the rising demand for our low-cost, high-quality trips.

The new website is more user-friendly and informative. It gives full details of all the trips we offer along with all the information you may need when booking a trip with us.

Not only that, the new website now allows you to book the date of your choice directly (subject to availability), pick the boat, trip length and date you want, then book and pay!

This change to our website and booking process means you can find out the information you need and book the trip you want at your own convenience.

made many positivefirst impressions and brings with her lots of ideas for new items and drinks options (so watch this space).

We're currently busy working towards getting the garden in bloom and have just launched our summer menu, which continues to offer changing monthly specials giving variety and the chance to try something new. Our most popular morning deal by far has been our scone and hot drink offer, and so we are extending this into June. Join us between 10am to 11am and enjoy a warm scone, fruit or cheese with any tea/coffee for just £4.25.

As always, I'd like to take this

We will still be available on the end of the phone should you need to speak to someone, but we are confident that you will find all the answers you're looking for in our comprehensive FAQ’S area of the website. You will also be able to find out about the history of the Trust, how to get involved in volunteering with us, and the impact each donation makes on the service we provide to the community.

To see for yourself visit www. baldwintrust.co.uk

The new website will launch on 3rd June 2024

opportunity to thank all of our customers for their continued custom and support, with the cost of living ever rising we're so grateful when you choose us foryour lunch/coffee dates and will work hard to ensure that this remains the case - thank you.

Also, a big personal thank you from me to the team for holding the fort during my absence, it wasn't without its bumps in the road and everyone rose to the challengeand really pulled together. I'm glad to be back on site more, have loved catching up with so many of you and look forward to what the rest of this year has to bring!

Hollie Beardsley’s

Tearoom, Rearsby.

Syston’s Only Dedicated Newspaper

Love, Loss, a Dog, and Home Care That Makes a Difference

There are things in life that are important for us to stay connected with.

Staying connected to the important things in life is important for retaining a sense of identity and ageing well, for our client who for the purposes of this article will be referred to as Mrs S, she had built a lifelong bond with her golden Labrador, Amber.

Radfield Home Care Leicester based in Syston began providing care for Mrs S at the beginning of 2023 and it was immediately clear that she and Amber had a special connection.

Mrs S lives withdementiaand Amber had sight loss, but the two always had space for one another. Mrs S would refer to Amber as “my treasure”, and Amber would never leave her side, often barging into the bathroom when Care Professionals were assisting Mrs S. The bond between the two was so close that our team would often joke that they were getting in Amber’s way. Loss and endearing love

Having lived a long and happy life at Mrs S’ side, Amber sadly passed away later that year. Faced with unimaginable grief while living with dementia, it was an incredibly tough time for Mrs S and our team could not

stand by. We wanted to do everything we could for Mrs S, providing companionshipand emotional support.

Mrs S and her family buried Amber in the back garden as her final resting place. To provide Mrs S with a lasting

memorial, the entire care team thought it would be a fantastic idea to get a remembrance stone for Amber, pictured above, to be placed in the garden. Everyone contributed to the remembrance stone and when they presented this to Mrs S and the family, they were so very grateful.

give a gift to mum of a remembrance plaque for Amber. We so love the words you have chosen. Thank you to everyone for helping Mum to adjust to her loss.”

Now, our Care Professionals regularly take Mrs S out in the garden so that she is able to go and see Amber when she wants. We are so pleased that we have had the opportunity to build a fantastic relationship with her, support her during one of the most difficult times, and give her a lasting connection to Amber.

The moment was put forward along with dozens of other entries from across the Radfield Home Care network. Touched by the emotional and impactful moment, Radfield Home Care Leicester based in Syston was recognised as the winner of the ‘Be There Moment of the Year 2024’ award.

Companionship and home care in Leicester

Mrs S’ daughter said: “Amber, pictured left, was a real beauty in her day and it has been sad having to say our goodbyes. It was the sweetest thing to

As a leading provider of quality home care in the UK, we strive to maintain service delivery that’s empathetic, respectful and supportive for all our clients. Radfield Home Care Leicester East covers Syston, Thurmaston, Birstall and other surrounding villages. If you would like to speak with our friendly care team, call0116 4810 520.

First Class Learning is committed to helping get your child's education back on track.

We offer planned and scheduled work, focused for the student, stress free for parents.

Our NEW Syston tuition centre is at the Divine Infant of Prague Church on Broad Street with free parking available.

We open every Wednesday 3.30pm to 5.30pm throughout the year, including school holidays.

For further information or to book a FREE skills assessment in maths, English or science please contact Debbie:

Mobile: 07793353435

email: rothley@firstclasslearning.co.uk

Website: www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

Drive It Day

Drive It Day is a special day organised around the third Sunday in April by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs to celebrate Classic, Vintage and Veteran vehicles.

There was an enormous interest shown in this year’s run since the weather has been so dismal, possibly. Drivers from Derbyshire,

Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire as well as a wide area of Leicestershire registered for the run. In the end 83 cars were signed up for this year’s run-on Sunday 21st April.

At least this year the weather was dry although a little chilly. This didn’t deter the enthusiasts and the vast majority of enrolled cars turned up for the start at Stonehurst Family Farm and Motor Museum in Mountsorrel from 8.30am. We are very grateful for the generosity of Tom Duffin, the owner. The restaurant opened early and hot drinks and breakfast cobs were available.

Cars began to leave from 9am and, using a prepared route called a Tulip Diagram, set off round the small roads and little lanes of Leicestershire to eventually arrive at Gates Nursery at Cold Overton. Points of interest passed along the way were Quenby Hall, Eyebrook

Reservoir and Launde Abbey. There was no fee for this event just voluntary donations and a staggering amount of £1000 was raised, a record for this event organised by the team, Syston residents Terry Farmer and Vicki Friend helped by friends Mick and Christine Squire and Helen and Colin Readwin.

We look forward to gathering again at Stonehurst on Sunday 1st September for the tenth Annual Rainbow’s Run, this year visiting Shakerstone Railway Station and finishing at Moira Furnace.

Vicki Friend

Volunteer Drivers Wanted

Do You Have a Day or Half Day a Week to Spare?

Can you help to transport local residents to local appointments; medical or necessary trips mainly in Syston and the surrounding area.

Use your own car with mileage allowance paid Or use one of our vehicles Call now on 0116 260 7888 for further details

Grow Give Live Update

At our Garden Café in May, we drew our big Spring Raffle.

Congratulations to our winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who supported the raffle, in particular, the local businesses who supported with prizes: East Midlands Railway, Giant Bikes, The Pharmacie Arms, Paper Moon, Delish, Roots Farm Shop, Daisy Rose Jewellery and Tesco Syston. All proceeds from the raffle go towards the upkeep of the community garden spaces we maintain around town.

Speaking of which, by now, the community centre planters will be looking healthy, with strawberries, cucumbers,

Gluten

&

Aromatherapy

tomatoes and herbs all starting to take off. Over the winter, we planted ‘green manure’ – it may just have looked like a load of weeds, but when it’s dug into the soil, it acts as natural fertiliser.

‘Fruit corner’ at Scotia Press is looking good, with raspberry canes (they may look like dead twigs but give them a few months and see the magic happen!), strawberries, redcurrant and blackcurrant bushes planted. The potatoes are coming through, and carrot seeds have been sown – we’ll see if they come up!

Up at the allotment, our plot is really starting to take shape, thanks to the

volunteers who come along every Friday from 10am to 12pm.

Team 3G Are off on Their Travels Again for LOROS

As it has not been possible to organise the 'From Classics to Jazz' concert this year because of Rachael's playing commitments in Hull, Maureen and Rachael decided to virtually pedal the 'North Coast 500' - 516 miles round the coast of Scotland starting at Inverness and travelling clockwise. The scenery on this journey is spectacular, and their imaginations have been running riot!

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We’ve been sanding and painting the shed, keeping the grass cut, and getting planters set up – we have onions, parsnips, carrots, beetroot and swiss chard planted – fingers crossed there’ll soon be plenty of fresh produce to share back into the community. If you’re free on a Friday morning, come along and see what we’re doing on the allotment (plot 73B, first on the left as you go into the allotments on Upper Church Street) –there’s always a cuppa and cheeky biscuit available. If you want to chip in at weekends, keep an eye on our Facebook page: facebook.com/growgivelive/, Instagram: @growgivelivesyston, or email growgivelivesyston@gmail.com to join our mailing list to keep up to date with our planned activities.

In the meantime, why not have a walk around town to check out all the planting spots? From the station, to Scotia Press, up to the community centre then on the allotment – a good way to stretch your legs!

They wish they could have seen it in person, but on the other hand they are very glad their journey is virtual as the many hills haven’t been a problem!!!

Faith, who has just turned 11, is again walking and cycling 100 miles, the distance between where she lives in Hull and the LOROS hospice, although she thinks she might be able to go further this time!As before, her travels will be tracked on the phone and her latest effort has been an eight mile cycle ride.They set off on Maureen's 83rdbirthday in April and will hopefully complete their journeys 14 weeks later on July 19th, the 26thanniversary of when Maureen's husband Jim passed away in LOROS.By June 1st, seven weeks into their journeys, Maureen and Rachael will have completed over 250 miles and will be 'heading' further up the West Coast to Scourie.

Since 2000 with the 'From Classics to Jazz' concerts and their virtual journeys during lockdown to Norfolk and back and Lands End to John O'Groats, they have so far raised over £10,000. They hope that as many people as possible will support them again in their fundraising efforts for LOROS, a cause which will always remain close to their hearts.

Donations may be made via their 'Team 3G' JustGiving pagehttps://www.justgiving.com/ page/rachael-dixon-1710438134018or to Syston Town News, 55 Goodes Lane Syston (cheques payable to LOROS please).

‘Matilda’ at Wreake Valley Academy

At Wreake Valley Academy, rehearsals for the High School production of ‘Matilda’ the musical are well underway. Following tense auditions in February, pupils in years 7,8 and 9 have been dedicating their Wednesday evenings in preparation for the performances taking place on the 2nd, 4th and 5th of July. Although our previous shows have been both directed and organised by the head of drama, Carla Connolley, this production is unique as it is entirely student led. A handful of sixth form students studying either music or drama, including myself, have volunteered to direct, choreograph, teach singing or be a part of our tech and backstage crew following previous experience in our shows. We have all leapt at the chance to take a lead role in the creative process and to create a fun and supportive community in which students can build their confidence and lasting friendships.

Due to the success of the recent film and stage production, ‘Matilda’, the musical was chosen to encourage more younger students to take part: an evident success as around seventy KS3 students auditioned. Although it is mandatory to attend auditions; no child is ever turned away. All are immediately welcomed as soon as they step through the stage doors.

However, this year we had an unprecedented number of talented pupils aiming for a lead role making the casting for main characters extremely difficult, so double casting was required. This included the role of ‘Matilda’, split between the incredibly talented year 8 students, Phoebe Galbraith and Evie Smith. “Being double cast is difficult but supportive” remarked Phoebe, as they have to learn the role of both ‘Matilda’ and ensemble with Evie agreeing that it is “useful to learn choreography together” despite the difficulties. Phoebe affectionally added that “you can make a new friend” – exactly what our shows at Wreake Valley strive to achieve. Rehearsals play a pivotal role in supporting young actors to build their characterisation and execute a fantastic performance. The comedic duo of Jack Moorhouse, in year 8 and Frankie Walker, in year 9, have spent weeks perfecting the hilarious dynamic between Mr and Mrs Wormwood. Both have taken part in previous shows and are buzzing for the moment they can return to the stage and have “all your nerves disappear and be replaced with confidence and adrenaline”. The pair agreed that doing the school productions has massively improved both their confidence and resilience

For me, having done previous shows, this has been the most rewarding outcome of doing theatre and, it is even more rewarding to see as a director knowing that it has a true impact on personal growth.

Arguably, the rehearsal process is just as enriching for the sixth form volunteers as for the cast members

Our choreographer, Careen Blair in year 12, takes charge of the lead dancers and skilfully directs the movement and dance for large numbers such as the ‘School

Song’ and the fan favourite ‘Revolting Children’. Though humbly stating that this is her ‘first time choreographing to such a large scale’, Blair has attended a dance school since 2013 and taught dancing for four years. Also, you may recognise her for playing ‘Sandy’ in our most recent production of ‘Grease’. She states, “the best part about being choreographer is being able to collaborate with the dancers, share ideas and work as a team to get the best performance possible onstage” and that the productions have helped her to “get an idea of what it’s like to work in theatre” as she is currently considering it as a career option. Behind the scenes, Todd Hammersley, also in year 12, is responsible for sound and mics during the performance and has enjoyed the switch from his character as ‘Eugene’ in ‘Grease’ to a more technical role; there is a place for everyone in theatre for all skill sets.

Tickets for ‘Matilda’ will be on sale from the main office of Wreake Valley Academy, via Arbor for parents and on the door (depending on availability). Tickets cost £7 for adults and £6 for children and concessions with each performance set to begin at 7pm. All proceeds go directly to the ‘show fund’ to ensure that every year students have the opportunity to express their talents both onstage and backstage, develop their confidence and, most importantly, have fun.

By Emily Barrow Year 12 Bradgate sixth form

Avoid a Fine Up to £1,000

Clean up after your Dog!

JUNE

Jeanne Douglas offers psychic readings in Palmistry, Tarot, Crystal and Personal Astrology. Her telephone numbers are 01664 562 471 or 07931 293 855.

ARIES March 21 - April 19

You push ahead with what you want and this could see you getting a little feisty at times, determined to get your own way. This includes pursuing a new romance that greets you daily so you'll find it difficult to hide away. Exciting dreams are hatched during your quietest and most isolated times. You can't wait to get started.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

New ways of making money excite you! Yes, you're engaging your brain and putting it to work. Make the most of good vibes over communication being as this improves as the month goes on. A loved one shows you how to spend your money in style. Kindly, you take time out to help a friend in distress. You work best on your own.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

You’ll have all the energy you need to push forwards this month as the Sun moves into your sign this month. The new moon too ensures a new beginning and you sweep away anything that no longer serves a purpose in your life. You pull out all the stops to solve a difficult problem at work and colleagues are so grateful.

CANCER June 21 - July 22

As the month goes by, you soften your stance when it comes to a problem by opening up and communicating with others. It seems that this does the trick! You spend lots of time with a romantic partner, maybe on holiday or just a few special days out. You take on extra tasks in the community and come up with a grand plan indeed.

LEO July 23 - August 22

A new friend is most winsome and you're set to become bosom pals! Meanwhile, there's some power game with a romantic partner and you'd be wise to let them have their own way, especially because they have the upper hand anyway. A trip out with friends turns out to be fantastic fun and the change of scene does you good.

VIRGO August 23 - Sept 22

Someone close presents you with a difficult dilemma but it's more their problem rather than yours. Still, you do your best as usual. A friend gets cross and this takes you by surprise! Best to give them lots of space so that they can just get on with it and get it out their system. Study and research projects go well and please you.

LIBRA Sept 23 - Oct 22

Some tug of war with a loved one seems so childish! And old wounds resurface causing you to look for some rest and recuperation. A friend gets lucky and has a good deal to learn in order to take advantage of current opportunities. You're in a holiday mood and find it hard to concentrate on anything too taxing.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

A partner comes up with a great idea that involves a bit of travel and a change of scene. You also spend some time with friends, having fun and catching up with all the gossip! Being at home helps in all areas of your life, as you put your spare time to good use. Working hard at a hobby that you love is immensely rewarding.

SAGITTARIUSNov 22 - Dec 21

Changes for a partner are positive and gives you some benefits too as the luck rubs off. Taking time out together, opening up and communicating is really helpful and heralds the start of a positive phase. You're quite the genius at work and get the chance to travel here and there. Life certainly seems exciting.

CAPRICORNDec 22 - Jan 19

You get an opportunity to make your money work for you! So take a risk or chance if you can being as you won't be disappointed. You hit a problem head on with kindness and understanding and this works wonders and brings upliftment to quite a difficult situation. Some anger at home is a storm in a teacup.

AQUARIUSJan 20 - Feb 18

You get some bright idea to solve a financial problem and this helps you to turn a corner. You have to assert yourself in the workplace in order to prevent a catastrophe and someone somewhere seems to be acting immaturely. Studying at home goes well and you get a great deal done. You share a new hobby with a partner.

PISCESFeb 19 - March 20

Others seem to be holding all the cards and yet you get some good idea which solves a difficult problem. You work harder than usual to earn your money and you have to be strong in the face of a test or challenge. You prove your intellectual prowess to others and you get invited to travel out and about for a change.

Leicestershire National Garden Scheme Open Gardens June

There are 14 gardens open to visit in Leicestershire during June, with many different styles and size of garden there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Opening the weekend of 1st and 2nd June 11am to 5pm is 28 Gladstone Street LE18 1AE. A town garden, divided into rooms bisected by a bridge and pond. The planting includes many unusual perennials, David Austin scented roses and a Hosta theatre.

Opening every Wednesday in June, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th from 2 to 5pm is Stoke Albany House Desborough Road near Market Harborough, LE16 8PT. A large 4 acre country house garden with traditional style planting including a Nepeta walk, parterre with box and roses, Mediterranean garden, greenhouse, water feature and sculptures.

Two gardens open together in Wymeswold at 88 (LE12 6TU) and 109 Brook Street (LE12 6TT) are open on the 8th and 9th from 2 to 5pm and one admission fee covers both gardens. The garden at 88 Brook street has colourful planting of clematis, geraniums, globe thistles and roses 'Goldfinch', Kiftsgate, Albertine and Francis Lester. Water features, a stream, mini beach, and a 'champagne' pond, and an impressive display of two topiary elephants. Enjoy also the orchard, and wildflower and the garden’s wildlife of frogs; toads; common and great-crested newts; grass snakes; hedgehogs; and bats.

Nearby 109 Brook Street has a garden of about an acre with many mature trees. Lots of herbaceous planting plus a rose and clematis patio, a raised bed kitchen garden and an orchard. The garden features a wild area and both a fish pond and wild pond, with water lilies, and a wild flower meadow fringe. Vibrant planting in the hot garden on has exotic plant species in raised beds with a splash water feature to cool the air on a very hot day. There is an extensive rainwater harvesting system that includes 5000 gallons of storage operated by solar power. There will be a home raised plant sale.

The Secret Garden at Wigston Framework Knitters Museum LE18 2BA opens on Sunday 8th June 11am to 5pm. A Victorian walled garden approx. 70'x80' with traditional cottage garden planting. The garden is managed by volunteers with much replanting during past three years. The garden is located in the grounds of a historic museum, (an extra

charge applies). A unique garden in the centre of Wigston which still retains an air of tranquillity.

If you want to enjoy roses and Clematis, Dairy cottage, LE9 4JN has over 300 on display together with herbaceous borders full of Alliums, Poppies, Salvias, Dieramas, Hollyhocks, and Rodgersia. The garden opens on Sunday 9th June from 11am to 4pm when this traditional cottage garden will be in full bloom. Opening every day from the 11th to16th June inclusive and from 12 to 4pm is Neville Holt Hall near Market Harborough LE16 8EG. A large 10 acre garden designed by Chelsea gold medal winner and features three distinctive walled gardens. Looking good in June will be the roses in the Italian walled garden throughout the garden. Also featured is the long herbaceous borders full of colour with geranium, Nepeta, Sissyrinchium, and Artemisia.

The Old Rectory Newbold Verdon LE9 9NN opens from 12noon to 7pm on Sat 15th and Sunday 16th. The garden surrounds the Georgian Old Rectory. It contains many species of trees, ranging in age from centuries-old to very young saplings. In June the rose garden will be in full bloom, and there is also a pond, many Hostas, woods, greenhouse, a box parterre and sculptures.

The Secret Garden at Glenfield Hospital LE3 9QP is a hidden gem of peace and tranquillity. Opening on the 22nd June from 10am to 3pm it provides patients and visitors with a lovely garden space set within the grounds of the Glenfield Hospital. It is one acre in size, and in June will features Roses, Lavender, Salvias, Penstemon, Sweet Peas, Erigeron Daisies, Geraniums, ornamental grasses and Wild Flowers. Also on show there will be a fine selection of fruit trees and brushes, herbs and vegetables. There will be a variety of Arts and Crafts Stalls together with a plant sale and (Story Telling), tales from The Secret Garden.

On Sunday 23rd Westbrooke House Market Harborough LE16 8AX opens from 10am to 4.30pm. The gardens comprise six acres approached through a tree lined driveway of mature limes and giant redwoods. Key features are walled flower garden, walled kitchen garden, fernery, lower garden, wildlife pond, spring garden, lawns, woodland paths and a meadow with a wildflower area, haha and hornbeam avenue. There is a collection of over 270 miniature and very small Hostas.

Opening on 23rd June from 11am to 4pm is 15 The Woodcroft DE74 2QT About a ⅓ acre garden with mature choice trees and shrubs, old and modern shrub roses, fern garden, wildlife garden, alpine troughs and mixed herbaceous borders. There is a comfortable gazebo overlooking recently planted wildlife pond and new for 2024 a large border at the bottom of the garden has been restyled. Brickfield House near Market Harborough LE16 8XS opens on Friday 28th June from 12noon to 4pm. The two acre garden enjoys stunning views overlooking the Welland Valley. It has been developed from a sloping brickyard rubbish plot and now features a kitchen garden, orchard, herbaceous borders filled with roses,

perennials and shrubs, paths and many pots, filled with succulents, herbs and colourful annuals.

If you love pots and container gardening, a visit to Oak Tree House South Kilworth, LE17 6DU opening on Sat 29th and Sunday 30th will be an ideal day out. This extensive 2/3 acre garden features large herbaceous borders, many clematis and roses, vegetable plot, greenhouse, and ponds, also has a collection of over 300 pots filled with various perennials, succulents, alpines and annuals all of which add colour and interest.

Colourful Planting at Oak Tree House Tresillian House, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0BQ opens on the 30th June from 11am to 4pm. A quiet secluded garden that features specimen trees, a pond, natural bog garden and koi carp pond, Many different unusual plants for differing seasons, Working vegetable garden and Heated and cold greenhouses. For the June opening there will be live Jazz, and a small art exhibitions by local artists. Thanks to the generosity of our garden owners and visitors the National Garden Scheme donated a record of £3,403,960 to some of the UK best-loved nursing and health charities, which included £76,000 raised by Leicestershire.

Carol Bartlett Leicestershire National Garden Scheme Publicity volunteer

Another Month, Another Flood!

Sunday 28th April saw flooding yet again in the centre of Syston following overnight rainfall, not a Storm Babet or Henk in sight, just rainfall, the sort of rain gardens cried out for in previous summer droughts, but sadly due to the already saturated fields up stream and until the Environment Agency removes the large banks of sand/silt and rolls of reeds (clearly visible through the town, reducing capacity) there’s always a risk, we believe the EA have restrictions on when works can be done due to birds nesting etc. Whilst waiting for the cavalry to arrive we’ve been talking to others and looking ‘again’ at the Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) upstream to the rear of St Hilda's Close one of which is owned and maintained by Charnwood Borough Council, we were told this particular one was working as it should, local residents disagreed, so watch this space, if anyone reading is an expert on SuDs (not the washing up kind) please drop your details to the newly formed ‘Syston Community Flood Group’ via systonfloodgroup@gmail.com as we’d love help to understand ‘SuDs’ and our Borough Councillors are equally concerned in light of recent events!

To keep readers in the loop, it was a resident at the ‘all agencies drop in session’a couple of months back who spoke at length with the EA about forming a community group (they continue to have a good rapport with the EA direct) and have secured a commitment from all the authorities to walk/inspect the Brook along with members of ‘SCFG’! The aim of the community group is to work with the EA long after the de-silting has taken place, so a shout out to ‘Syston Community Flood Group’ for doing

Colourful Planting at Oak Tree House

positive things.

Nearly there with information overload, together with ‘riparian owners’ mentioned last month the ‘Highways Department’ of Leicestershire County Council seem to of had (have) responsibilities in the Brook (though not Riparian Owners) for clearing around the highway bridges to allow the water to flow freely (look in the Brook when strolling by, doesn't seem to have gone to well, does it), let’s hope going forward that all the authorities ‘agree to agree on who does what, get it sorted and actually work together with the EA for the good of the town’!

Lastly, (hooray you cheer) at the time of going to print, things to get the brook cleared of sand/silt/reeds are still moving forward (slowly), and if you happen upon

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anyone working in the Brook from any of the councils or the EA (after you’ve recovered from the shock that is), if you can be anything, ‘be kind’, their just doing their day job, it’s not their fault personally that Syston’s ‘Barkby Brook’ got in such a mess, now is it.

M&K Concerned Residents

For more information or to contact the Environment Agency (EA): Call: 03708 506 506 email: EMDenquiries@environmentagency.gov.uk Incident hotline: 0800 807060

Please use this number, which is open 24 hours a day, to report incidents such as flooding, blockages, unusual flow of water, damaged flood defences or pollution.

Contact Severn Trent for water or sewage leaks tel: 0800 783 444

Donated Sand Available to Residents Affected by Flooding

A large quantity of sand has been donated by a local company for the residents of Syston to use to fill bags to help prevent water entering into their homes at times of flood.

The council has instructed Neil, the estates officer and the estates staff to help residents use this sand. You will need to provide your own bags and for vulnerable residents they can help to fill the bags and deliver them to you.

Anyone who has been affected by the floods in Syston can contact Neil at Syston Town Council via email: neil@systontowncouncil.gov.uk Or mobile: 0773 047 9070

He can arrange with the estates staff to help.

THE POWER OF PRINT

Social media is great but print lasts! Cut through the digital noise with an advert in the Syston Town News

To advertise YOUR BUSINESS contact 0116 269 3221 fiona@systontownnews.co.uk

Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant

If you experienced internal flooding to your home or business during Storm Babet (October 2023) or Storm Henk (January 2024), you may be eligible fora grant of up to £5,000 (inclusive of VAT) through the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Repair Grant Scheme.

Property Flood Resilience

Property Flood Resilience refers to any measures applied to a building to make people and property less vulnerable to flooding and its impacts. It can also improve recovery times, however there is always a residual risk that properties will still be flooded.

See https://www.befloodready.uk/ what-is-pfr/for further information on different types of measures.

Grant details

The Council is administering the grants locally on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

� There are strict funding criteria which need to be met – you’ll need to check your eligibility and consider the grant requirements detailed on this page before applying.

� Grant payments will be provided once approved measures have been completed, and evidence of this is provided – see step 5 on the website.

� A property survey is required as part of the scheme – this isto identify where the flooding came from, and the best measures to limit reoccurrence and impacts, or improve recoverability. Surveys must be carried out by suitably qualified independent surveyors.

� Property owners will be responsible for arranging their own surveys and works, with approvals from the Council at key stages.

� Grants may also be pooled towards community resilience measures – this may benefit affected properties, such as pumps or local flood warning systems.Please email us atfloodgrant@leics.gov.ukif this is of interest.

� Defra require that all works be completed by – the end of April 2025 for Storm Babet claimants, and the end of June 2025 for Storm Henk claimants.

There are five steps you have to go through which can be read via the Leicestershire County Council webiste: https://www.leicestershire. gov.uk/environment-and-planning/ flooding-and-drainage/property-floodresilience-repair-grant

We have also put it up on our website: www.systontownnews.co.uk

© 1996

is published by CURZON GRAPHICS

55 Goodes Lane, Syston, Leicester, LE7 2JL

Tel/Fax: 0116 269 3221

(Mon - Fri. 9.00am - 5.00pm)

email: fiona@systontownnews.co.uk or deanna@systontownnews.co.uk www.systontownnews.co.uk has copyright and no part whatsoever may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.

The views expressed are the views of individual contributors and does not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

Inclusion of an advertisement in the Syston Town News does not constitute any endorsement of a product or service

THE GREAT LITTLE PAPER

Can You Spare Half an Hour a Month?

Volunteers Required To Deliver in the Following Areas

CLOVER WAY

SIMPSON CLOSE

ROMAN WAY

TROJAN WAY

FINAL COPY DATE FOR JULY 2024 ISSUE IS: Wednesday 12th June

GREEN PAGES

Go green and advertise in the STN Green Pages Directory.

An entry costs from as little as £8 per month, giving you your own heading, business name, phone numbers, email and website addresses.

Extra lines are only £1 each.

In addition the directory is published on our website: www.systontownnews.co.uk free of charge

To promote your business in the STN telephone 0116 269 3221 or email fiona@systontownnews.co.uk

green pages

DIRECTORY

Your local directory of Businesses, Clubs, Societies and Other Useful Information.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Post Office, Syston. 0116 260 3765

Age Concern Syston. 0116 260 1476

CRIMESTOPPERS. 0800 555 111

Parkinson's UK. 0808 800 0303

Roadline. 0800 62 63 63

Samaritans. 0116 270 0007

Severn Trent. 0800 783 444

Syston Volunteer Centre. 0116 260 7888

Syston Flood Wardens:

Tim Lewin: 0793 878 5000

Ree Nugent: 0792 721 5477

Maxwell Nugent: 0793 688 0825

Neil Skinner: 0778 088 1897 Councils:

Charnwood Borough Council. 01509 263 151

Leics. County Council. 0116 232 3232

Syston Town Council. 0116 260 7150

Hospitals/Healthcare:

Glenfield Hospital, Leicester General & Leicester Royal Infirmary: 0300 303 1573. Accident and Emergency: Leicester Royal Infirmary. 0300 303 1573

NHS Direct. 111

Syston Health Centre

The Jubilee Medical Practice: 295 0600

The County Practice: 295 0500

Community Nursing Service: 0300 300 7777

Health Visitors: 0116 215 3208

Chemists: Boots. 0116 269 8218

Sunlit. 0116 260 2695

East Goscote Pharmacy. 0116 260 6734

Leisure:

South Charnwood Leisure Centre 0116 264 0057

Syston Community Centre. 0116 260 7150

Syston Library. 0116 305 3500

Syston Northfields Tennis Club. 0116 260 5926

Syston Rugby FC. 0116 260 1223

Syston Twinning. 0116 260 9744

Wreake Runners. Daniel 07958 400 433 Police: Syston Police. 101 Schools/Colleges:

The Merton Primary School. 0116 260 8150

Roundhill Community Academy. 0116 269 3896

SS Peter & Paul Primary Academy. 0116 260 7577

Wreake Valley Academy. 0116 264 1080

Biffa Waste Issues:

Biffa Transfer Station. 0116 269 6492

AERIALS

Image Aerials, Syston Local, friendly service, competitive rates, repairs, alterations & TV tuning. Free quotes. Tel: 0116 260 3481 Mob: 0797 020 2125.

BATHROOM AND TILING

Souter Bathrooms Ltd

Tel: Darren 0116 260 4105 or Mob: 0776 668 5901 CARPETS

Costcutter Carpets

Tel/Fax: 0116 264 0745

email: costcuttercarpets@tiscali.co.uk

CHARITY GROUPS

Age Concern Syston

The Methodist Church Centre, High Street, Syston LE7 1GP. Tel: 0116 260 1476.

Help and Advice Centre open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 12.30pm.

Syston & District Volunteer Centre 18 School Street, Syston.

Office open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Tel: 0116 260 7888.

CHILD CARE GROUPS

In B Tweenies

A parent, baby and toddler group for parents with children who have been on a neo natal unit. The group meets on Tuesdays from 10.00am until 12 noon at Queniborough Dance Co. 109 Broad Street, LE7 1GJ. Telephone Lindsay on 07847 264 382. www.prembabies.co.uk

Make & Play (Mondays and Fridays)

Syston Methodist Church, 10.00am until 11.00am both days term time only. £2 for the first child and £1 for subsequent children. For more information about the group contact: Samantha at samanthahowarth1990@hotmail.co.uk or Make & Play - Syston.

Tots at 10

Held every Tuesday term time only at St Peter & St Paul’s Church Hall, 10.00am until 11.15am.

£2 per adult (includes child’s entrance). For more information about the group please either see our Facebook page (Tots at 10) contact: Totsat10@gmail.com

Children with Special Needs/Happy Smiles

Sandra and Amy run a voluntary play group at Elizabeth Park Thurmaston. Thursday mornings 9.30-11.30pm, closed 2nd Thursday of each month, all children welcome 0-5 years. We charge £1 per child and they receive drinks and snacks. Also the adults can sit and natter over a cup of coffee or tea. Telephone Sandra 0798 321 6372.

CHILDREN’S CLUB

Children's Bible Discovery Club Mondays 3.45 to 4.45pm (term time only)

Children's Bible Discovery Club, five to 10 yrs. It’s free to attend and you can come straight from school and enjoy crafts, songs, games and stories all with a Biblical theme. Parents are welcome to stay with younger children.

Takes place at the Broadway Gospel Hall, Broadway, Syston, Leicester LE7 1GA. For further information please email: contact@broadwaygospelhall.org. uk or check the website: broadwaygospelhall.org.uk

CHURCH GROUPS

Broadway Gospel Hall Activities

Alternate Wednesdays 2.30pm Ladies meeting.

Come and share Christian Fellowship, you will receive a warm welcome. Transport is available. All meetings take place at the Broadway Gospel Hall, Broadway, Syston, Leicester LE7 1GA. For further information please email:contact@broadwaygospelhall.org.uk or check the website: broadwaygospelhall.org.uk

CHURCHES IN SYSTON

Broadway Gospel Hall , Broadway, Syston LE7 1GA

Sunday 4.30pm Gospel meeting. Everyone is welcome. www.broadwaygospelhall.org.uk e: contact@broadwaysgospelhall.org.uk

Syston Methodist Church, High Street Sunday Service 10.30am Holy Communion Service, every second and fourth Tuesday in the month, at 10am.

Contact: Rev Paula Hunt 0116 267 3960.

St Peter and St Paul CoE, Upper Church Street. Syston services are every Sunday Eucharist at 10.30am and Wednesday morning at 9.30pm https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/ 5257/get-in-touch/

Contact: Rev. Ros Harper, Team Vicar 0785 157 3236. Day Off - Mondays. CLEANING SERVICES

Done & Dusted

Quality Counts: Domestic and Commercial Cleans, all cleans catered for. Tel: 0116 260 2828 Mob: 0788 754 2884 www.done-n-dusted.com

COMPUTER SERVICES

Think Digital Project

Age UK are running this project offering FREE 1:1 support with smartphones, tablets, iPads, laptops and desktops. Whether you need support by phone or online; want to be kept informed about physical IT Help Groups when they restart, or just don’t know where to begin –give the Project a call on 0116 223 7371 or email us on thinkdigital@ageukleics. org.uk and we will do our very best to help.

CONSERVATORY ROOF CLEANER

Clean Start

Well Established, Professional Conservatory Cleaner. Fully Insured and DBS Checked.

Contact Wayne Mob: 0797 750 5453 or email: cleanstart200864@yahoo.com

CRAFTS

North Leicestershire Beaders

Meet twice a month. £5. Call Anna for details. Tel: 0797 687 2444. ambromley@gmail.com

Syston & District U3A Craft Groups

Parchment group - meets on the third Wednesday of the month in the Syston Community Centre, School Street, 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

Kevins Domestic Appliances

Sales & Repairs Washing Machines, Dryers, Dishwashers and Cookers etc. Tel: 0116 269 7168 Mob: 0771 160 4297.

DRIVING SCHOOLS

Wheel Pass

Mob: 0795 121 5161. Find us on Facebook Lessons to Suit Your Timetable ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

Byrite Electrical Ltd 1286 Melton Road, Syston Tel: 0116 260 2299. www.byriteelectricals.com

ELECTRICIANS

Letts Electrical Services

NICEIC registered Tel: 0116 259 7137 Mob: 0786 651 6286. All Electrical Work Undertaken. M A Skinner Electrical Services

Syston Based, reliable, no job too small. Mob: 0799 098 1297.

FLOWER AND GARDEN GROUPS

Allotment Society

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at Syston Social Club 7.30pm. For more details contact Syston Town Council on 0116 260 7150.

Birstall Flower Club

Meet on the fourth Wednesday in Birstall Village Hall at 7.15pm. (not July and December). Visitors welcome, £5. Contact either Sylvia: 0116 267 4206 or Carol McManus 0116 267 1437.

Brooksby Gardening Club

Meets on the third Wednesday from September to May 7.30pm, Queniborough Village Hall, Rearsby Rd., Queniborough. If you have not visited us previously but this new time suits you we will welcome your visit.

For further information Josie on 0116 260 1478 or Madeleine on 0116 260 5539. Melton Mowbray and District Flower Club

Meet on third Monday in each month at Asfordy Parish Hall, 24 Main st. Asfordby. LE14 3SA. 6.45 for 7.15pm start. (Not January). Demonstrations and talks. Visitors welcome, £5. Tel: 01664 812 636.

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Furnley House

Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) 340 Melton Road, Leicester, LE4 7SL Tel: 0116 269 6311. www.furnleyhouse.co.uk

FUNCTIONS & EVENT

Syston R.F.C.

Tel: 0116 260 1223/260 7719. email: info@systonrfc.co.uk

GARAGES

Queniborough County Garage

Tel: 0116 260 0081/260 2288.

GAS SERVICING

Gas-Servwell

Tel: 0116 236 7923 Mob: 0786 073 5066.

Unigas Heating Services

Tel: 01664 434 742.

GUIDING IN SYSTON

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section & Trefoil

Syston District of Guiding caters for girls from age 5 onwards.

Rainbows age 5 - 7: Brownies age 7 - 10: Guides age 10 - 14: Seniors age 14 - 25: Trefoil 25 +

We welcome volunteers to join our unit leaders too. To join or go on our waiting lists please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/ register

GUTTER CLEANING

Clean Start

Internal gutter cleaning using the latest vacuum technology. Fully insured and DBS checked. Contact Wayne Mob: 0797 750 5453 or email: cleanstart200864@yahoo.com

DJK Guttering

All types of gutters cleaned, repaired and moss removal.

Tel: 0116 298 6404 Mob: 07470 204060. email: djk03@hotmail.co.uk

HAIRDRESSING

Antehc Hair and Skin Studio Specialist in hair loss and anti-ageing. Mob: 07877 981 877.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Indoor Bowls

Syston Community Centre Wednesdays 1.45pm to 3.45pm

£1.20 per week. For more details contact C. Palmer on 0750 610 9549.

Over the Hill Walking Club

This club is for singles in the 40 plus age range. We have organised walks in Leicestershire and surrounding counties every Sunday and some Wednesday evenings in the Summer. To find out more contact Dave Gooder on 0116 285 6271. or visit our website www.overthehillwalking.org.uk.

Syston M.A.D.S (Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression Support) Group

We are a friendly bunch who want to help support people with Mental Health or people who are lonely.

We meet every Wednesday morning from 10am till 12pm at the Syston Brookside WMC. £1 Donation each week. For any enquiries please contact us by Mob: 0777 469 5160 Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm. email: MADSgroup@yahoo.com

Syston Young at Heart Group

We are a friendly group which caters for the elderly and housebound of Syston, meeting every Thursday at the Community Centre from 10.00am to 1.45pm. Transport can be provided, places now available. Please phone Age Concern on 0116 260 1476.

HEALTH FOODS

The Body Store

Qualified to give free advice 13 Town Square, Syston LE7 1GZ Tel: 0116 269 4348.

HISTORY GROUPS

Barkby Local History Group

We meet irregularly for trips out and talks by invited speakers. For more information contact Sandra Moore 0116 236 3739. sandraemoore@sky.com

Syston Local History Group

Meet on the third Monday of the month at 7.30pm, in The Hub, Methodist Church Centre, High Street. Visitors £2 per meeting. For further information contact Clive Iliffe 0116 260 9081.

KITCHENS & BEDROOMS

LFI Kitchens & Bedrooms

Mob: 0771 570 8809.

Swift Fitted Furniture Ltd.

Manufacturers of fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms and Home Offices. Contact: 0116 246 0686.

LANGUAGE TUITION

Leicestershire Languages Tutor (Spanish & French) call 07840 543 893 web: leicestershireLanguagesTutor.co.uk email: mariel.bthomas@gmail.com

LEGAL SERVICES

HPLC

Tel: 0116 260 8990 Mob: 0750 149 5503 email: heather@hplcconveyancing.co.uk

MORTGAGE ADVISORS

A & A Mortgages Ltd (Annu) 10a High Street, Syston Tel: 0116 269 8008. Your local independent Mortgage Advisors.

Furnley House

Independent Mortgage Advice 340 Melton Road, Leicester, LE4 7SL Tel: 0116 269 6311. www.furnleyhouse.co.uk

MUSIC GROUPS

Acoustic nights at QMCL Club 43A Main Street, Queniborough. Alternate Mondays from 7.00pm. All levels and listeners always welcome. Free entry.

Singing for Fun East Midlands Meets during term time on Thursdays 2.15pm to 4.15pm at Elizabeth Centre, Thurmaston. For more information or to register contact Caroline: info@carolinesharpe.com 0776 215 4900. www.singingforfunem.com

Syston Band

Every Monday at 7.30pm to practice, looking for a rehearsal room. New members of any standard welcome. Contact via email on systonbandmail@yahoo.co.uk

Syston Swing Band

Rehearsals at Brookside Club every Tuesday from 7.30pm email Systonswingband@outlook.com if interested in joining or booking the band. You will also find us on Facebook.

U3A Ukulele Group meets every Friday 2.00pm to 3.30pm at the Brookside Club, Syston. For more information contact Len Abraham on 0781 278 7238. Ukulele Classes at Thurmaston Bowls Club, Elizabeth Park, every Wednesday afternoon 2.30pm to 4.30pm. £2 includes refreshments. All welcome from beginners to experienced. Contact Len on 0781 278 7238 for more information.

Ukulele Group

Meets 7.30pm to 9.30pm on a Wednesday evening at the Syston and District Social Club, High Street, Syston. For more details contact Graham Molloy email: grahammolloy@gmail.com Tel: 0751 776 4878.

NURSERIES & PRE-SCHOOLS

Broad Street Playgroup

Catholic Church Hall, 63 Broad Street. Funded places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Mob: 0770 250 4113.

St Peter and St Paul Pre-School School Lodge, Upper Church Street, Syston. Tel: 0116 269 8638.

OPTICIANS

Your Sight Opticians

1176 Melton Road, Syston. Opposite Aldi. We provide home visits for those who

can’t get to us

Tel: 0116 260 7075.

PAINTING & DECORATING

Jamie Heggs

Tel: 01509 812 973 Mob: 0780 384 5465. Rob Toon Painter & Decorator

Tel: 0116 260 2856 Mob: 0798 177 1164.

PLASTERER

G M Plastering & Rendering

Contact Gary on Mob: 0779 158 3613 or email: kirkbyhammer@hotmail.co.uk

REFLEXOLOGY

Healing Touch Reflexology by Mariel call 07840 543 893. web: healingtouchreflexology.co.uk email: mariel.bthomas@gmail.com

ROOFING SPECIALIST

DJK Roofing & Guttering

Tel: 0116 298 6404 Mob: 07470 204060. email: djk03@hotmail.co.uk

All types of roof and guttering work. Leaks, Flat Roofs, Moss removal and Jet Washing. General property maintenance. SCOUT GROUPS

Queniborough Scout Group

Queniborough Scout Hall, Syston Road, Queniborough.

Beavers: Thursday 6.30pm to 7.45pm

Cubs: Wednesday 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Scouts: Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Contact: Clive (Group Chairman) 0116 269 3532. Rearsby Scout Group

Beavers: Wednesday 6.00pm to 7.00pm

Cubs: Wednesday 7.15 to 8.15pm

Contact Paul Smith 0780 198 5020 or dc@charnwoodscouts.org.uk

Syston Scout Group

Syston Scout Hall, Oxford Street, Syston. Beavers 6-8yrs: Monday 6.30 to 7.30pm. Cubs 8-10yrs: Thursday 6.30 to 8.00pm.

Scouts 10-14 yrs: Tuesday 7.30 to 9.00pm

Explorer Scouts 14-18yrs : Friday 7.00 to 9.00pm

Network 18-25yrs : Monday 7.45 to 9.45pm.

Scout and Guide Band 9yrs +: Wednesday 7.00 to 9.00pm. For more information, please contact, Chris Bodycot on 0116 326 6908 or visit www.systonscouts.org.uk/join SKIP HIRE

Blue Skip Hire

Tel: 0116 269 3530 Mob: 0784 658 7321. web: www.blueskips.co.uk

SOCIAL GROUPS

Age Concern Syston

Wednesdays Coffee Morning 10.00 to 11.30am. A warm welcome awaits you at the Methodist Hall, High Street, Syston. Tel: 0116 260 1476. East Goscote Friendship Club

We are a friendly group of over 50’s who meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month 2.00pm to 4.00pm at St Hilda’s Church Hall, Ling Dale, East Goscote. Everyone welcome. Contact: Marie Pole on 0116 260 2287. Fosse Company of Archers Saturdays 1.00pm onwards, October to March at Wreake Valley Academy (indoors, gym building). April to September outdoors at Syston Rugby

Club. New and experienced archers welcome. For more information visit www.fossecompanyofarchers.uk

Hoby Bridge Club

Meet twice a month on Thursday evenings at 7.15pm. We welcome new members to join our friendly group. For further information please contact M. Mitchell on 0780 292 2582.

Ivydale Club Social Group

Every Wednesday 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Over 50’s Club meet at Thurmaston Community Centre, Silverdale Road, Thurmaston. Tel: 0756 115 6675 or 0333 011 2406.

Leicester Railway Society (Formed 1939)

Meets third Tuesday of the month. Start 7.30pm at the Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2PP Contact: Michael Chapman (Secretary) 0116 260 3336 or Brian Holland (Programme Organiser) 0116 236 8328.

M&S Sign Club (British Sign Language)

Thursdays 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Just drop in to M&S Thurmaston on Barkby Lane. New Chapter Bereavement Support Group

Meet Monday afternoons 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Thurmaston Memorial Hall, 722 Melton Rd. Thurmaston. LE4 8ED. Come along and meet others living with loss. Meet new people who can offer companionship and understanding without judgement. For more information and an informal chat contact Lin on 0116 269 3542.

Poppies Memory Cafe

Meets at Syston Community Centre from 10.30am to 12noon on the first Tuesday of the month. Dementia Support Services Leicestershire. Contact: 0116 223 7363.

Rearsby & District YFC

Meetings every week on Thursdays at 8.00pm in Barkby Village Hall. Call Catriona on 0789 022 6035.

St Peter’s Court Club

Coffee morning every Thursday 10.00am until 11.00am. St Peter’s Court, Melton Road, Syston.

Syston Chess Club

Meets every Tuesday at the Syston & District Social Club, High Street, Syston at 7.30pm. We offer a friendly and comfortable environment and play chess at all levels. We enter local and national competitions. We will teach anyone who wishes to learn!

Syston & District Volunteer Centre

Hold their Community Lunch every third Tuesday in the month. Transport available, cost of lunch £15. All members welcome. Call our office to book your place. 0116 260 7888.

Syston Family Activity Group

Meets every fortnight at different locations on a Tuesday night, plus days out and camps. Arranging anything like archery, canoeing, climbing, biking, bushcraft, cooking etc. For details please get in touch with Stu on 0797 003 4597.

Syston Friendship Group

A meeting of friends with learning difficulties, our member’s ages range from 20 to 75. We meet weekly on most Thursday nights from 7.00pm to 9.00pm in the Syston Community Centre where we have a range of activities including

Syston Friendship Group cont’d crafts, bingo, games, Lego, general socialising etc. Minibus pickup is part of the service that our volunteers can provide. Contact Anne & Trevor Carter 0788 990 3907, email: trevhme@aol.com

Syston Games Club

Are you new to the area, want to make new friends or just keep your brain active? Come and join our friendly club at Syston Community Centre every Tuesday 2.00pm to 4.00pm to play Rummikub and other games. For more info contact Bev on 0116 319 8931 or Liz on 01509 816 541.

Syston Twinning Association

Syston is twinned with Deville les Rouen, Normandy. If you would like more details about joining us please contact our Chairperson, Fiona on 0116 260 9744.

Thurmaston Ladies meet at Thurmaston RBL, Melton Rd, Thurmaston on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

For further information please contact Elsa on 0771 974 3411 or Eileen on 0745 560 4296.

U3A Syston Canasta Card Group meets every Monday (except bank holidays) from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Syston Community Centre, however, we are currently full, so if you wish to join please contact Jane Mercy on 0116 260 1117.

Wreake Valley Rotary Club

Meet every second and fourth Wednesday evenings at The British Legion, Front Street, Birstall 7.30pm. Visitors made most welcome.

SPORTS CLUBS

Kobra Martial Arts

We have launched our senior and junior sessions for karate! Junior sessions take place from 5.15pm to 6.15pm every Monday and Thursday evenings. Senior sessions will take place from 6.30pm to 7.30pm every Monday and Thursday evenings. Senior age starts at 16 and juniors age starts six. These sessions take place at 12-10 Lower Church Street, Syston, LE7 1GX. If you’re interested in signing up, drop me a message or give me a call on 0795 101 2048 or email:kobramartialarts@gmail.com

Riverside Utd Junior Football Club

We are always looking for new players to come and join our fantastic football club. We train kids from 4 years and upwards at Wreake Valley Academy in Syston. Please contact Paul Cassidy on 0750 744 2226 or visit: www.riversideutdjfc.com for further details.

Special Olympics Leicestershire and Rutland

Special Olympics Leicestershire and Rutland uses sport to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to enhance their health and wellbeing. Our Facebook page for more info is www.facebook.com/ SoleicestershireRutland

St Margaret's Co-operative Bowls Club

Want to try bowls? St Margaret's (near Red Hill Circle) is a friendly local club which welcomes bowlers of any ability. Contact Carolyn or John on 0116 267 5947.

Syston Bowling Club

Provides opportunities for all to gain or develop skills, make friends and enjoy a year-round social programme in our clubhouse. Free coaching with equipment provided. For more details contact: Val Foreman on 0116 260 9635

Syston Kickboxing Club

Training on Tuesdays from 7.00pm to 8.00pm at Syston Community Centre. Suitable for all ages and abilities from beginners to experienced. Cost £3.50 for children and £4 for adults, pay as you go. Contact Brent Penniston on 01664 562 286 or email pennistonbrent@hotmail. com

Syston Mixed Hockey Club

We play our home games at Mountsorrel - Soar Valley Leisure Centre - 2.30 on Saturday afternoons. Away games could be any time on a Saturday and at various venues throughout Leicestershire. Lifts could be arranged from Syston. Age range of club members teens to 70's. Contact details - Patrick on 07977 448074 or Jo on 07786 333432. patrickoakman@outlook.com

Syston Northfields Lawn Tennis Club Tennis for mixed membership. All levels, all ages. Coaching given. Monday and Wednesday, Senior Club Night, Tuesday, Junior Club Night. Syston Northfields Tennis Club, Northfields, off Melton Road. LE7 1HW. Contact Edd Whetton (Coach) on 07800 599 057 or email: edward.whetton@gmail.com for further information.

Syston RFC

The club runs sides from aged five to fifty years. The U6s to U17s play and train Sundays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays, September to April. We have over 300 members. The Senior Club 18-50yrs play Saturdays. We have five sides training Monday and Thursday from 7.00pm. All welcome. Contact the club 0116 260 1223 or www.systonrfc.co.uk. Syston Syclers

An enthusiastic group who meet at The Green, High St. Syston each week. For more details please contact Marie on 0789 697 5122 or email: Marie@systonsyclers.com or visit www. systonsyclers.com

Syston Town Cricket Club

The club has three senior teams and junior teams at all age groups from Kwik Cricket to Under 17 level. New players of all ages are always welcome and for general information about the club contact: Ivan Spibey on 07711 139 711. Practice nets for all age groups are available both winter and summer and further details can be obtained from Scott Cooper on 0792 950 2012. Syston Town Juniors FC

We cater for all ages, boys and girls 4 to 17 years. All coaches are DBS checked and hold FA qualifications. We train and play at two venues, Necton St, (Memorial Park) and Wreake Valley Academy, days and times vary dependant on age and time of year. For further information contact: secretary@systontownjnrs@yahoo.co.uk

We also run development centres for boys 4 to 6 years 9 to 11am and girls 5 to 9 years 9 to 10am on a Saturday morning

at Wreake Academy on the 3g pitch. Please contact:

Boys: Andyon 0796 624 8878. Girls: Daveon 0771 104 4768. Tae Kwon-Do

Four to eight years Friday 6.00pm to 6.50pm Juniors and Adults mixed classes Tuesday 6.00pm to 6.50pm, Sunday 4.00pm to 5.00pm. St Peter and St Paul’s Primary Academy, Upper Church St, Syston. First month free. Contact James Freer on 0771 895 3850. Thai-Tanium Boxing Club

Various classes for beginners, advanced, kids, juniors, ladies and adults. As well as 1:1 sessions please contact us on Facebook or Contact Jamie on 0797 365 6778. Now based at 760A Melton Rd, Thurmaston.

Wreake and Soar Valley Athletics Club

Running - Middle/long distance/sprints club for all the family with experienced qualified coaches, junior athletes from age seven. Adults from absolute beginners to existing runners looking to improve. Contact John on 0781 769 3777 email: wreakeandsoarvalleyac@gmail.com Web: www.wreakeandsoarvalleyathletics.club

Wreake Runners Running Club

Every Tuesday and Thursday 6.45pm, plus fortnightly track sessions. See website for details. 4 week trial available. Run@wreakerunners.co.uk www.wreakerunners.co.uk

Wreake Valley Tetsudo Club

(Martial Arts)

Train on Monday evenings 6.30pm to 8pm at Syston Rugby Club. Contact John: 0797 624 1427.

TAXI

Apollo Cars

Tel: 0116 260 7070. TELEVISION

Glenfield Television

Tel: 0116 287 1762.

THEATRE GROUPS

Syston QT Theatre Group

A small friendly, local group, we meet every Tuesday (and Thursdays during rehearsal periods) at The Old Chapel in Chapel Street, Syston. There are two main productions a year. We welcome those who enjoy acting, the technical side, props, stage management, costumes, etc. and we are always looking for new members. Visit our new website: www. qttheatregp.co.uk or email: qtsyston@gmail.com

TREES

Charnwood Tree Services

Tel: Freephone 0800 371 441. Unicorn Tree Care and Fencing For a FREE Quote contact Alan Tel: 0116 269 2039 Mob: 0778 359 6792.

WATER

SPORTS CLUBS

Leicester Penguins Swimming Club

One of Leicestershire’s oldest competitive swimming clubs. If you are ready to transition to competitive swimming from the Learn to swim programme, please contact the club for a free trial session.For further information visit our website www.Leicesterpenguins.club

WATER SPORTS CLUBS Cont’d

Wanlip Sailing Club

Small friendly local club. Learn to sail, just cruise or race. Families very welcome. Social sailing Saturdays, racing Sunday afternoons. For further information please contact Sue, daytime on 0116 210 2254. Neil, evenings on 0116 260 8049, or the clubhouse 0116 260 7864 at weekends to arrange a visit.

Clarity

WINDOW CLEANING

Windows, Doors, Facias, Conservatories and Guttering cleaned. To discover why people are switching cleaners, please contact us for a free friendly quote. M: 07533 991 561 www.really-clean.co.uk

What’s On Diary for June

COFFEE MORNING

Saturday 1st June

10.00am to 12 noon

At St Mary’s Church Barkby

‘Sing Along Saturday’ With the Syston U3A Singers Singing popular songs Coffee/Tea/Cake/ Raffle

Supporting charity: Life Skills Project International

BROADWAY

GOSPEL HALL

Sunday 2nd June

4.30pm

All Age Service followed by a buffet tea at Broadway Gospel Hall, Broadway, Syston Leicester LE7 1GA

There will be activities for the children during the service, everyone is welcome. For further information please email contact@broadwaygospelhall.org.ukor check the website: broadwaygospelhall.org.uk

FILMS IN SYSTON

Monday 3rd June - Book Club, The Next Chapter

No Film in July or August

Doors open at 1.30pm. Tickets are now available at the Card Shop in Syston or on the door at The Old Chapel, Chapel St. Syston.

COMMUNAL BINGO

Every Wednesday

2.00pm

Syston Conservative Club, High Street. Everyone Welcome.

JUNE CONCERTS

Saturday 8th June at 7.30pm

St Andrew’s Church, Jarram Street, Leicester.

Sine Nomine International Touring Choir perform a concert under their conductor Jeremy Jackman. A mixed programme of old and contemporary choral music. Admission on the door £12 All welcome.

Clean Start

Well Established, Professional Window Cleaner. Fully Insured and DBS Checked. Contact Wayne on M: 07977 505 453 or email: cleanstart200864@yahoo.com

WOMENS INSTITUTES (W.I.)

Barkby and Beeby W.I.

Meets third Tuesday of the month. Barkby Village Hall, Beeby Rd, Barkby 7.30pm. Visitors Welcome. For more information contact 0116269 2756.

Charnwood Wigs W.I.

Meets last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. Beedles Lakes Golf Club, East Goscote. Visitors £4.00. For more details please ring Claire Cox on M: 0775 164 2141

New Barkby W.I.

Meets First Wednesday in the month

AN EVENING WITH NIGEL OWENS

Saturday 8th June 7pm

Syston Rugby Club, Barkby Rd, Queniborough LE7 3FE

Tickets £75/£750 per table (includes 3 course meal, bubbles, wine on table) Smart casual attire

To book contact Ella on 0782 880 0526 or email: ellaamystiles@hotmail.co.uk All proceeds so to Alex’s Wish to cure Duchene www.alexwish.co.uk

Bring CASH for your chance to win BIG in our auction and games!

ST PETER AND ST PAUL’S CHURCH

Sunday 9th June

Families@4 4pm

Music, Craft, Games,Bible Stories, Prayer. This months theme is prayer. Do come along and join in the fun and of course there will be cake!

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 11.00am to 5.00pm Hungarton are holding an open garden weekend. Hungarton is approximately 4 miles from Syston OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND

7.30pm. Syston Community Centre, School Street. Visitors always welcome. For more details contact President Mrs Shirley Franklin on 0116 260 8498.

Advertise your club/society or community event in our Green Pages and/or What’s on and we will add it here and on the webdiary too.

Ring Fiona or Deanna on 0116 269 3221 or email fiona@systontownnews.co.uk deanna@systontownnews.co.uk

(postcode LE79JR) There are 15 gardens open, refreshments and cream teas will be on sale and there are many other attractions sited around the village.

The entrance fee is £5.00 and they are raising money for their village charities, i.e. The Church, village Hall, Sports club and Youth Club.

BIRSTALL FLOWER CLUB

Wednesday 26thJune 7.15pm

Birstall Village Hall

Demonstrator: Jackie West

Title: Spring Into Summer Visitors: £7

Queries to: Sylvia 0116 267 4206 or Carol 0116 267 1437.

JUNE CONCERTS

Saturday 29th June

7.30pm

Stoneygate Baptist Church, London Road, Leicester

Leicester Choir, Cantamici, celebrate 30 years of singing together.

The first half of music is all by Bob Chilcott followed by popular pieces.

Admission on the door £12 All welcome.

FUTURE EVENTS

Local Girl Overcomes Her Fear of Swimming Pools to Complete the Swimathon for

two Charities

Local girl Jessica Loach, pictured below with her certificate, has just turned 10 years and has taken part in a swimathon to raise money forCancer Research UK and Marie Curie. She did her swim at the local pool at the South Charnwood Leisure Centre.

Jess has autism, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome along with quite severe asthma. She loves swimming and being in water but has a genuine fear of swimming pools and her asthma is made worse with physical activity. When she saw the poster advertising the swimathon she decided she wanted to sign up and face her fears to take part. She wanted to help raise money to help ‘poorly people’ and she hoped that taking part would earn her the swimming badge. She is also a member of Syston Cub Scouts and going to Cubs is the best part of her week.

Her family signed her up for the challenge to swim 400m. Before this she had swam maybe 10m in one go so this was a sizeable challenge for her. It could be done over a few visits to the pool.

On Monday 29th April she decided she was ready, so we headed off to the pool. It took a few minutes to get her comfortable to get in the water and even longer to get her to the deep end for her to see that there weren’t any sharks in there or any of the 100 other things she was worrying about. We made our way

back down to the shallow end and she was ready to go.

This wonderful and determined little lady swam her butt off and refused to stop. She did the entire 400m in the one visit in 45 minutes. During this 45 minutes of swimming she had to get out to take her inhaler and still got straight back in and carried on. Halfway though one of the lengths on the way to the deep end she had a tic attack. If you don’t know what that is, it’s part of the Tourette’s syndrome.

A lot of people hear ‘Tourette’s’ and think of people who can’t help swearing. But it’s so much more than that. Jessie’s body can jerk around without her having any control and it can happen anywhere. When she’s eating, when she’s going down stairs, when she’s trying to sleep and when she’s trying to swim. So mid length she sank whilst thrashing and I had to scoop her up and hold her out of the water whilst her body betrayed her and she thrashed all over the place. Tic attacks are knackering at the best of times, but once it was over she INSISTED on carrying on.

Some of the last few lengths she did on her back, barely kicking because she was so tired, but she kept on moving and refused to give up.

Jessica’s Mum, Megan said: “I am so insanely proud of her and the way she faces everyday life which she finds so difficult. But to put herself out there and do something so tough for her, to help others made me heart want to explode. If you would like to support this amazing little girl and help her raise as much money as possible for the two charities, you can by visiting:

I'm fundraising for Cancer Research UK Marie Curie at Swimathon 2024 justgiving.com

The family have already helped her reach the £150 target she set and every time someone new donates she bounces around the house with so much happiness that a choice she made is helping other people.

We along with her family would love for her to see her target absolutely smashed! Well Done Jess!

St Peter and St Paul’s Church News

Families @ 4

This month we tookthe theme of creation. We thought about the best things God has created. We then created our own natural art using things found in the neutralenvironment around us.

The Bible reading was the story of creation, followed by a song and prayer. After tea and cake we enjoyed an activity with a parachute recreating the wind and calm, a Mexican wave and lifting high.

On June 9th the next Families @ 4 will have the theme of prayer. Do come along and join in the fun and of course there will be cake!

Christmas Tree Festival

An Advance Call to Syston. We need your decorated Christmas trees !!!! We have decided to run our Christmas tree festival again. There will be a preview evening for invited guests at a cheese and wine on 6th December. The main festival will be open Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th, concluding with a songs of praise service at 4pm on Sunday.

Trees to be taken down on Monday 9th December. Please contact me, Wendy at w.hardy147@gmail.com if you want to take part or need further information.

Churches Together

So, Saturday 11th May, sneakily one day early, we launched Christian Aid week as Churches Together in Syston with a tasty coffee morning at the Hub Meeting Place. We offered home-made shortbread blueberry muffins, Bacon cobs and gallons of tea and coffee. The weather was amazing, the outside area was packed and the last three cobs were eagerly received by the plant sellers working in the sun on the High Street. We finished at 12pm, and we raised in the region of £170. This will be added to funds raised in the three church services

to help to raise people from poverty across the world. Well done Syston!

Charnwood Small Community Grants

The New Charnwood Small Grants programme can provide up to £750 for the activities of properly constituted Voluntary and Community and Voluntary Sector (VCS) organisations and projects in Charnwood, including organisational running costs and projects (for up to one year), and one-off contributions for equipment costs for projects with community benefit.

Priority will be given to requests from eligible VCS organisations to deliver community-based services, projects and activities that are specifically focused on improving the lives, health and wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities in Charnwood. Requests to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on VCS organisations and those they support will be of particular interest. For further information, advice or assistance please contact grants@charnwood.gov.uk

Applying for a Charnwood Small Grant

Please note the application form is now online and cannot be saved and reopened and will ‘timeout’ at midnight. It is therefore recommended the application form pre-view is read and all required supporting documents and answers the to questions are prepared before the application is started.

The Charnwood Small Grants is an open programme where applications can be submitted at anytime before the programme closes on Friday 31st January 2025.

This is a fast-track process where grant application assessment, approval Continues on page 24

Friends of Barkby Road Cemetery

Hello everybody. So where to start - at the beginning would help I suppose. Our wonderful Chapel and cemetery have been nominated for a green flag award. Sadly we can't enter to the cemetery of the year because of a change in the Brahms regulations, something to do with the burials. For the green flag award we were interviewed on Tuesday 7th May, a meeting that lasted just shy of two

hours. We will find out the outcome sometime over the summer. One particular thing that bothered them was the fact that there were only three of us plus the groundsman. We did say that the community does help by watering, weeding etc especially around their loved ones graves. This, though, made us think. Would anybody like to join us? Here's what is it is entailed:Dead flower and wreath trawling, in other words collecting dead flowers and dead wreaths, and taking them to the recycling bins - open and closing the Chapel / an open afternoon - watering the fresh flowers space – weeding the untended graves leaving flowering weeds for the insects.

Attending three, maybe four meetings a year with Syston Town Council. We now have a new Gate keeper, who unlocks and locks the cemetery gates, so we are not now needed for this. This is all voluntary and the time is flexible, to suit yourself, in other words as much or as little time as you’d like to do. I myself can spend one to two hours a week especially if I’m doing the chapel displays. Some weeks I don’t even go. Some weeks I just sit there and listen, look at the clouds, listening to the birds, and watching the butterflies drift on

by. If this is something you’d like to do and think you could help with, then please contact Catherine Voyce at Syston Town Council on 0116 260 7150 to see when the next meeting is. Thank you, to everyone who has already helped behind-the-scenes. Don’t forget we now have designated ashes scattering areas. One of these areas is under the conker tree near the car park and here you could have a memorial plaque if you wish. Roses are still needed along the runways to dedicate to your loved ones, there are some that are there now, which are dead and we really need to replace them.

The chapel, as always, is available to hire, contact Syston Town Council on 0116 260 7150 for further information please. There is a memorial book in situ now where you can ask the Syston Town Council to have an inscription placed. A calligrapher will do the inscription for you.

I hope you enjoyed and liked the DDay display and a great big thank you to the Syston Royal British Legion and of course Syston Knitting Banxy for their help.

Enjoy the rest of the summer. Ros To Advertise in the Stn Telephone 0116 269 3221

The Easy Way to the Perfect Fitted Bedroom or Home Office

One call to Swift Fitted Furniture and we’ll arrange a no obligation estimate to make the most of your Bedroom, kitchen or home office space. Friendly service and professional fitting - for less than you’d think.

Call Paul or Brad

Tel: 0116 246 0686 to find out more today

Continued from page 22

and payment is intended to take a maximum of 28 days from receipt of the application and all required information and supporting documentation.

Organisations should therefore apply at least 28 days in advance of any planned activities or events.

Charnwood Small GrantsApplicant Guidance Notes

Please read the guidance notes in full before you complete the application form. Applicants are advised to submit their applications as early as possible rather than waiting until the deadline, this will give us more opportunity to ask for further information if we need it to make a proper assessment.

https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/ small_grants_applicant_guidance_ notes

Syston Charity Celebrates 50 Years of Providing Medical Aid for Africa

Did you recently see the Inter Care post box topper created by Syston Knitting Bankxy’s (SKB) in the Syston High street? We are celebrating our 50th Birthday and what a way to knick off our celebrations! Thank you SKB for supporting us.

We thought we would take this opportunity to tell you more about us and what we do. Here is our story…

Small Charity with a BIG impact!

Inter Care is a small charity based in the Half Croft Industrial Estate in Syston. We have an office and warehouse on site with four members of staff and

40+ volunteers. Since the charity was established in 1974, £18.7 million worth of aid has been sent to mission-based health units in sub-Saharan Africa. Last year, Inter Care sent medicines for up to 76,400 patient treatments!

Patients across sub-Saharan Africa need our help

Our founder, Dr David Rosenburg (local GP), saw a desperate need for medical aid on his travels to Africa. The shelves in

the small and rural health units of Africa were empty. Dr Rosenburg knew that his practice back at home could help. They were able to save the returned medicines from pharmaceutical samples and send them out to Africa in small parcels. This seed of an idea has developed, and we are now sending 20ft shipping containers of medical supplies including lab equipment and working with partners in Africa to purchase medicines in country.

Our mission is to prevent UK medical waste by providing surplus supplies to partner health units in Africa.

Our 80+ partners across sub-Sharan Africa (currently Tanzania, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Ghana) cannot easily obtain good-quality medicines and medical supplies. By providing good quality medical aid, we can ensure their most vulnerable patients can receive treatment free of charge through Inter Care’s donations. We are supporting both the environment and lives in Africa.

Information about the supplies we can receive:

All of the medicines and other specialist supplies are donated by pharmaceutical companies and corporate donors. Members of the public can send Inter Care basic supplies such as first aid items – please go our website for full details. Please note: All items must have at least 15 months to expiry date. This small charity is helping patients in long term care – Dereck’s Story Dereck lives in the hills of Moshi, Tanzania.

At just 22, Dereck is paralysed and wheelchair Continues on page 26

Syston’s Only Dedicated Newspaper

Across

1. A garment to keep you dry and warm. (4)

3. A term used for a Bricklayer. (7)

7. This month is _ _ _ _ _ Month for the LGBTQ+ community (5)

8. What goes up, Must come _ _ _ _. (4)

10. This rock band formed in Liverpool in the 60’s, is globally celebrated every 25th June. (7)

11. A room providing a space out of which one or more other rooms or corridors lead; typically near the entrance of a public building. (5)

13. When you switch a light on, you eventually have to switch it _ _ _. (3)

15. American singer, actress and television personality; Famously known for being paired with Sonny. (4)

17. A musician will often call their best-sellers a _ _ _.(3)

18. Legally take on a spouse’s child and raise it as one’s own. (5)

20. The second largest city in the country; Borders the Black Country in the West Midlands. (10)

Down

1. You wear 1A to keep yourself from feeling this uncomfortable temperature. (4)

2. When some of us get on a bus to Leicester City Centre, we ask for a ticket to _ _ _ _. (4)

4. A vehicle that stays on land with 4 wheels. (3)

5. 2, 4, 6, and 8 aren’t odds, they are _ _ _ _ _. (5)

6. To look after someone’s child or baby. (7)

9. A nocturnal bird; known for being pets in the Harry Potter world. (3)

12. A large body of salt water. (3)

14. This Paternal figure is recognised every June. (6)

15. Crustaceans that can be found at beaches and coastal areas. (4)

16. Dime, Time, Lime, Pine and Fine are all words that _ _ _ _ _. (5)

19. The events of June 6th 1944 will be celebrated for its 80th Anniversary this month. (4)

The winner of the May Crossword is: Mrs J. McGoldrick of Syston

The answers for our May Crossword were: Across:

1. Bartram: 3. SYS: 7. Cafe: 8. Inked: 9. France: 12. Naan: 16. Americano: 18. Deanna: 19. Mahalia:

Down:

1. Befriend: 2. Motifs: 3. Sicca: 4. SPF: 5. Pukka: 6. MADS: 10. NASA: 11. Eurostar: 13. Narnia: 14. UEFA: 15. Fiona: 17. Feta.

Complete

At just 22, Dereck is paralysed and wheelchair dependent. He’s had physical deformities of the lower limbs since his childhood, when the doctors thought he had polio.

Sadly, for the past decade he has been bedridden after gradually developing weakness in the lower limbs, which progressed to becoming completely paralysed.

Due to sitting on the wheelchair for a long time, he developed deep pressure sores on the back, both hips and lower limbs which led to septicaemia.

Dereck had a high risk of developing a life-threatening infection

After months of suffering, Dereck was admitted to Kibosho Hospital, in May 2022, due to severely infected grade 4 pressure sores.

These are the most severe type of pressure ulcer: meaning Dereck had a high risk of developing a life-threatening infection (NHS, 2023).

Inter Care have supported Dereck’s care for many months – We were lucky enough to meet Dereck.

At Kibosho Hospital, Dereck has received daily wound dressings, antibiotics with nutritional support to help his body heal.

When Inter Care staff and trustees visited Kibosho Hospital in October 2022,

Dereck met and spoke with us saying “I am doing well now and healing. My wounds are getting better. Thank you”. His mother smiled at us in appreciation. In November 2023), Dr Materu, Hospital Superintendent, updated us on Dereck’s situation: although still bedridden and paralysed, Dereck’s wounds have “markedly improved” because the antibiotics have cleared the infection and he is on alternate day wound dressing. With Dereck’s needs being relatively high, his family could not afford to cater for his treatment. Inter Care’s support of antibiotics and other medical supplies have helped Dereck to continue recovering. His mother is very grateful, and the hospital staff are impressed with his improvement overall.

visit to Tanzania in 2022

From left to right: Dereck, his mother and his nurse at Kibosho Hospital, Tanzania. Picture taken on Inter Care

Dereck sends his sincere gratitude and prayers to all Inter Care’s donors

We need your help

Inter Care have a very full warehouse of medical aid. We are not government funded and therefore, need your help to send these vital medical supplies to Africa by donating to our cause.

Here is an outline of this year’s plans:

� A 20ft shipping container to support one hospital and 10 health centres in Southern Malawi. This donation includes nurse uniforms, personal protective equipment, plus bandages and dressings. We will also be including some specialised supplies such as orthopaedic equipment, and wheelchairs for every health unit.

� A 20ft shipping container to support six health units in Sierra Leone. This container will include a corporate donation of handwash and a pallet of surgical sutures.

� A donation of antibiotics to be sent to Mlambe Hospital in Malawi. This will provide 16,800 patient treatments.

� Medical supplies to be sent in-country to 38 partner health units in Tanzania.

£29 could provide pain/fever reductions for 62 patients in Malawi.

£50 could supply PPE to a hospital in Sierra Leone to protect medical staff carrying out 100 procedures

£101 could send a complete set of diagnostic equipment to a Health Unit in Tanzania

To donate please go to www.intercare. org.uk or send a cheque to Inter Care, 46 The Half Croft, Syston, Leicester LE7 1LD

Tae Kwon-Do Tigers!!!

A new and exciting Tae Kwon-do class specially designed for four to six year olds, Tae Kwon-Do Tigers,

Syston Rugby Club

has successfully grown from strength to strength!!

Instructor, Master Sheryl Freer 6th Dan, set up this new class earlier this year to help encourage youngsters to be part of a fun group, learning basic Tae Kwon-do skills which helps improve their balance, co-ordination, confidence and self-esteem. Students are also mixing and communicating with others of a similar age and working on their behavioural skills and discipline. The students begin to grow in confidence and start to understand that exercise is Fun!

Master Sheryl Freer says “I love

On Saturday 4th May, Both of the Syston Rugby Club teams took part in the County Cup Matches at Ashby Rugby Club.

G E GAMBLE & SONS

The Syston 2nd team won their match against Lutterworth 47 - 22 and the Veterans team won 38 - 25 against a strong Vipers team.

Well Done!

teaching this class! These little Tigers are so much fun to teach, they have become so much more confident since they first began training. They are all progressing brilliantly and are really enjoying their sessions.

Tae Kwon-do offers the whole package, not just the art and self defence, but also helps memory, concentration and important life skills, which I believe are important to learn from a very early age”.

Tae Kwon-Do Tigers is based at St.Peter & St.Paul Academy, Upper Church St. Syston.

Fridays at 5.30 to 6.15pm.

If any parents out there would like

their child/children to become part of this new exciting adventure, please contact Sheryl on 0795 256 1388 to secure a place. (places are limited!)

Custom Conservatories & Windows

Jane and Claire are experienced Will dra�ers and Las�ng Power of A�orney advisors. We offer a face to face service and FREE local home visits having 50 years combined experience working for a Syston based, now re�red, solicitor. If you’ve been pu�ng off making your Will or Las�ng Power of A�orney because you can’t find an appointment that works around your job or it's difficult to get out of the house then contact us for more informa�on.