NEXT ISSUE OUT: Saturday 11th February - Advert & Articles Needed By 28th January 2012

January 2012

A World Challenge!TwO TEENAgErS from Thornton are about to undertake one of the biggest challenges of their lives. In July, this year a team of 16

students from Bosworth Community College in Desford between the ages of 14 and 18, will be taking part in a World Challenge expedition to Northern Morocco, involving a challenging 4 day trek across the Rif Mountains. They will be accompanied by a World Challenge Leader and the School Expedition Leader. The team is currently in preparation for the 8 day journey, which will involve amazing views, exciting experiences, and the chance to meet local people. This potentially life changing trip will also enable the students to get to know the others in the team, and themselves even better. The two lads, Joseph, 15, and Josh, 16, are in the process of trying to

raise the £949 fee that will allow them to take part in the event. To do this they are planning several fundraising events and activities, such as a mince pie ordering service, school fairs and bake sales among many others. Their objective is to raise the money as a team and independently, without relying on their parents’ pockets. “We are both very excited to

go on a trip like this, which offers us a chance to meet new people and to challenge ourselves in a place in which we are uncomfortable. Also the fundraising tests our ability to work independently and to keep ourselves organised, two very important life skills.” “I have already raised £200

by baking and selling mince pies to order, and after making 90 dozen, I don’t think I ever want to see another mince pie again, but it was definitely worth it. Also, I know Josh has raised £130 from a stall at the Thornton School Santa’s Grotto, and by babysitting for people in our village.”“Our next fundraising challenge is a sponsored abseil off Bridge 75,

in Buxton, that reaches a height of 80 feet, which may involve some freefall. This is especially daunting for Josh who is incredibly terrified of heights, but I’ve told him he needs to get used to the idea of being high up!”“We believe this trip is going to be not only a lot of fun, but useful to us

in the long term, providing us with useful skills and amazing experiences to talk about. We aim to keep you all updated in the coming months, and plan to tell you all how the expedition itself goes, and we might even show you some photos!”If anyone wants to find out more about our trip or if you wish to

sponsor us then email us at joseph.withers@btinternet.com

Joseph & Josh

Morrismen welcome the New Year in Markfield

THE red Leicester Morrismen performed their annual New Year dancing ceremony at The Queen’s Head, Markfield on Sunday 8th January 2012.The group are raising money for the Cruse Bereavement Support Service.

MEMBErS of the public are invited to attend an exhibition to view proposals for a development of 50 new family homes, 10 affordable apartments for rent and retail unit(s) planned at the junction of Station road and Jackson road in Bagworth.

Bagworth housing scheme: new exhibition on 30th Jan.

Indicative plans of the development were displayed at a public exhibition in Bagworth held on Wednesday 7th December 2011. The exhibition attracted 71 people, and some useful, positive feedback was received and passed onto the developer and land owner.The follow-up exhibition will take place on Monday 30th January 2012 at

Bagworth Village Hall, Station Road, Bagworth between 4.30pm and 7pm.

See the proposed street scene on

page 10.

Happy New Year!

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I’ve invented a new flame-thrower. Unfortunately it hasn’t set the world on fire.

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The HeraldPO Box 8, Markfield,

Leics. LE67 9ZT

Tel: 01530 244069info@markfieldherald.co.uk www.markfieldherald.co.uk

The Herald is a monthly local magazine delivered free to

approximately 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Field Head, Stanton under Bardon,

Thornton and Bagworth.

Contact Mike wilkinson with your articles, news

items or advertising enquiries.

Printed by Norwood Press in Ellistown.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Herald Production

Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication

does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims,

methods or policies. The Herald cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by

advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or

inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. The Herald

reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish

articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All contents © The Herald

None of the articles or adverts contained in this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining written

consent from The Herald.

This issue of The Herald is being delivered over the

weekend of 14-15 January 2012 by The Herald’s team of dedicated deliverers, namely:

Coral, Maureen, John, Phoebe, Sam, Sarah, Jack, Ian, Ann,

Gill, Janet, John, Helen, Don, Jeanie, Jenny, Bradley, Daisy, Heather, Margaret, Matthew,

Alexander, Mike, Rowan, John & Sue.

I get seasick. And that’s after only a couple of glasses.

Markfield Medical Centre to be one of the first Leicestershire GP practices to introduce Electronic Prescription ServiceMarkfield Medical Centre will be one of two Leicestershire gP practices to begin using the second stage of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). From February 2012 patients at Markfield

Medical Centre may no longer have to visit their GP practice just to collect a paper prescription. Instead, they can choose to have it sent electronically to any participating pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that is convenient to them – which could be one near to where they live, work or shop.For patients, the extent of the benefits will depend

on their individual circumstances. The new system will predominantly benefit patients receiving regular repeat prescriptions, which account for around 70 per cent of the 1.5 million paper prescriptions that are issued every working day in England. To make use of the new system, patients will need to ‘nominate’ where they want to collect their prescriptions

from. They can do this anywhere that is using the second stage of the EPS - many pharmacies in Leicestershire are already using this. Patients should look out for the EPS sign to help them identify which places are participating (see below). If a patient has access to the internet they can search for sites offering the service at www.nhs.ukIt is easy for patients to change their nomination too and they can still ask their GP for a paper prescription if they

prefer. Dr Chris Trzcinski, Snr Partner at Markfield Medical Centre said: ‘The EPS is a great step forward in improving

services to patients. It will make life much easier for many patients, particularly those receiving regular prescriptions, as well as improving the efficiency of GP practices and pharmacies.’’NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will continue to work with GP Practices across the area for the EPS to

be introduced in more locations. Ask your pharmacist or GP for more information about the EPS, or go to www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/eps.

Bagworth and Thornton Parish Council launches a ‘Drop In’ serviceBagworth & Thornton Parish Council wishes to be seen as open and transparent. We know that some parishioners do not always feel

that there is enough time at the monthly meeting to raise their concerns. As a result we are introducing a drop in for people to

raise issues with Councillors. This will take place on the second Saturday of the

month at Bagworth Community Centre from 10- 11am. The dates will be: Jan 14, Feb 11, March 10, April 14,

May 12, June 9. If you wish to discuss any relevant issues, please feel

free to drop in.

Bob Austin

PUBLIC EXHIBITION 4.30pm to 7.00pm

Monday, 30th January 2012 Bagworth Village Hall, Station Road Bagworth, Leicestershire, LE67 1BH

Members of the public are invited to attend an exhibition to view proposals for a development

of 50 new family homes, 10 affordable apartments for rent and retail unit(s) planned at:

Station Road/ Jackson Road in Bagworth. We look forward to receiving your comments.

For further information, please contact: Mike Downes, Antony Aspbury Associates

Tel: 0115 852 8050 E-mail: mike@antonyaspbury.co.uk

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4

My mum and dad always do things straight away. I call them my immediate family.

Thornton St.Peter’s Church Spot

The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation

Volunteers from Barclays help out at Ulverscroft Grange

A TEAM of Barclays staff swapped suits for overalls and outdoor wear when they teamed up with The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation to assist with maintenance work and improvements at their Ulverscroft grange property.Staff at Barclays from the Bank’s Governance Policy and Controls team

came to the rescue of the charitable organisation, by providing volunteers and funding for the event. Barclays staff helped out by improving the visitor pathway, providing a

seating area, and redecoration of the visitor toilet block. Alan Norman from the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation said: “We were

absolutely delighted to receive assistance from the Barclay’s team. The work they under took for the charity made a real difference, enhancing the lives of the elderly people and adults with disabilities who use the Foundation’s services. Barclays have proved time and again over the past few years what a wonderfully supportive staff team they have and we are extremely grateful for their support.”Rob Johnson from Barclays said: “With over 62,000 Barclays staff

participating in fundraising and volunteering projects, this is a fantastic example of Barclays staff working closely with the local community to achieve something we hope will make a real and lasting difference. At Barclays we strive to strengthen local communities in which we live and work by supporting a range of causes from local schools to centres for older people.”

St Peter’s on TV lIN MId-NOvEMBEr last year Julie Meyer, from radio Leicester, came to Thornton to record an interview with Nigel and Julie Bennett, who have taken over the village shop from Lloyd and Susan Bakewell.Lloyd and Sue have served the local community

excellently over many years - we wish them well in their retirement and thank them for the very many ways in which they have supported St Peter’s.My casual conversation with Julie Meyer about the problems that the

dry summer had caused us at St Peter’s led to her recording our own programme the following day. This was subsequently taken up by BBC East Midlands TV News, and a press release followed in the Leicester Mercury. Such fame! Tribute must be paid to our bell ringing ‘stars’ who gave up three hours of their time to record the three minutes of transmission.The programme was of course about the gap that has occurred between

the Tower and the Nave - a separation of about 1½ inches. The three roof beams which support the Nave roof have been pulled from their sockets in the Tower wall by the same amount. These beams are to be fitted with a metal shoe to extend their length, and which will slide over a metal plate in the stonework. Hopefully the Tower will then return to its original position when ground moisture is restored.As you read this we shall be well into the New Year and Christmas 2011will have passed into history. We should not let it do so without expressing

our appreciation to the many folk who made it such a memorable occasion at St Peter’s.To them and to all our readers may I wish a very Happy New Year

Martin Foster Churchwarden

5

When I drive my car, eggs shoot out of the boot. It’s a hatchback.

Advertise in the Herald

You know it makes sense!The Herald is delivered to 4,000 local homes and businesses in

Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton and Field Head 11 Times a Year (no July issue)

If You’d Like To Advertise Your Business in The Herald,

Contact Mike on 01530 244069. (Ad rates are on page 8)

Carols Around the Village raised £215CArOLS round the village of Stanton under Bardon, on Monday evening 19th december 2011 raised £215.00 for the Leicestershire, derbyshire and rutland Air Ambulance services.Thank you to all who took part in the

singing, collecting and giving to this worthy cause.

Gail Massey

A week of fun activities!

A wEEK of fun activities has been planned in January to help blow away the Christmas cobwebs and get people out and more active.Organised by Active Together,

there are a variety of sessions available within Hinckley and Bosworth with something to suit everyone.All of the sessions throughout the

week are free or cost just £1 on production of a voucher which can be found in the Move More For Less brochure. To get a copy of the free booklet call the Physical Activity team on 01455 255875.Cllr Michael Mullaney,

Executive Member responsible for Culture and Leisure, said: “Taking part in the Move More 4 Less Week is a great way to keep fit without spending a fortune. There are lots of activities to help people keep fit on offer across the borough for just £1 and some sessions are even free. I’d urge local people to take advantage of these cut-price opportunities to keep healthy.”The following activities cost £1:

16th (6pm-7pm): pom dance cheerleading, St.Francis Community Centre, Tudor

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Road, Hinckley.17th (1.30pm–2.30pm): zumba, Empire Fitness, Druid Street, Hinckley.17th (6pm-7.30pm): yoga, Forest Rise Community Centre, Groby.17th (6.30pm-7.15pm:) zumba gold, Richmond Primary School, Stoke Road, Hinckley.18th (8.10pm-9pm): belly dance, Sport in Deford, Peckleton Lane, Desford.19th (7.15pm-8.15pm): zumba, Holy Trinity Centre, Cleveland Road, Hinckley.

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The following activities are free:19th (7.45pm-8.45pm): kickboxing, Spartans Kickboxing Academy, Southfield Road, Hinckley.20th (10am-11am): walk, Methodist Chapel Foyer, Chapel Street, Barwell.20th (6.30pm-7.30pm): cardio sport kickboxing, Stealth Black Belt Academy, Kings Street, Barwell.21st (11.30am-12.30pm): circuit kickboxing style, Stealth Black Belt Academy, Kings Street, Barwell.

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Markfield Childminder

has vacancies in the New Year

I am NNEB trained and have experience working with

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for more information on 01530 245039.

6

After I left university I removed one of my front teeth for 12 months. It was my gap year.

Borough Councillor Matthew Lay writes in the Herald

wELL 2012 is here and as we move forward I ask

myself: ‘where did 2011 go?’ The Christmas holiday season seems to be a long time in coming with the commercial drive starting earlier and earlier and yet it is all over in the space of a week. Still let me take this opportunity to wish everybody all the best for 2012. The new year at the Council

sees the preparation of budgets in time for the setting of the Council Tax rates in Febuary. The Borough Council collects the council tax for all the precepting authorities. This includes the County Council who receive the lion’s share of the proceeds, the Police, the Fire Brigade and the Parish Councils. When you get this bill you get a breakdown of who gets what and what they are charging.This year, just like last year, I am

sure that both the County Council and Borough council will not increase the council tax. If they have a zero increase they get the equivalent of a 2.5% increase in a grant from the government’s own coffers which of course has come from the same source, people’s taxes. This 2.5% from the government is a big incentive and has had the desired impact of freezing council tax across the UK. How long this will continue one can only guess but as great as it sounds I think it is in the long run going to create a whole set of its own problems. The old saying there is no such thing as a free lunch holds true.

Old fashionedYou could call me old fashioned

and yes I will be in my 41st year in 2012, but I appear to be at odds with the supposed political wisdom that has taken hold of British politics for quite some time now. My thinking has been influenced by what I have seen in our local community and my

personal experiences. Just recently and once again I have seen parents with absolute justification campaign against the attempts of the County Council to withdraw school bus provision, they have my full support. This time it is parents in Field Head who have been informed that they will no longer get free bus travel to Groby Community College. Instead they will be charged £400 per school year, per child to get on the bus. Incidentally this is the same bus that is picking up children from Markfield so does not involve any additional cost to the County Council. Instead it is an opportunity to make some money from hard pressed families who may not have an alternative. The County Council say the children can walk to Groby and back so they have no obligation to provide the service. Is this really what we call progress? I count my blessings that when I wanted to go to college in Leicester at Charles Keene, I along with anyone else who wanted, got a free bus pass. I really enjoyed my

time at Charles Keene and this led me to be able to go to University and guess what - I got a grant to help with living costs and the idea of tuition fees was not even on the radar. I was speaking to a family relative who receives some home help and care and they were showing me how much it was costing to get this help and how much it had increased. In fact all the services which Councils are able to charge for are going up and new charges being introduced for services that used to be free and taken for granted.

True costsThe problem I have is that it

would be much cheaper to actually provide the services free of charge and use the Council Tax to pay for them instead of getting the user to pay every time they need them. If you add up the charges now levied on a range of services you begin to see a more accurate picture of the true costs involved to individuals and householders.Just what would be the actual

Freezing council tax could cause long term problems

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7

Censorship makes me so bleeping angry.

News from Markfield Guides

MArKFIELd gUIdES said farewell to their leader, Lena Parker, in december. The Guides held a pyjama party as their last night and said farewell to

Lena who restarted the guide unit 8 years ago. The Guides now need new Guide leaders to take over and keep Guiding alive in the village and provide a follow on for the village’s flourishing Brownie Unit. If you can donate 2 hours a week, presently on a Tuesday evening but

this can be flexible, and would like to be involved with encouraging the village’s teenagers to undertake challenges and push the boundaries of their experience - and have fun yourself - then please contact the Guiding Headquarters in Leicester City (0116 254 5290) who will put you in touch with the local Guider. Girlguiding UK is the United Kingdom’s largest voluntary organisation

for girls and young women, with around half a million members including about 100,000 trained volunteer adult Leaders and supporters. To find out more log onto www.girlguiding.org.uk and click the ‘Get involved’ tab.

cost of providing free school buses for all children if levied across all households as it once was, a few pounds at most and yet some are faced with a £400 bill and rising. We may all need some form a home care services so surely it is in all our interests to share the burden and keep the costs down when people need them most. Sadly in my opinion and from

what I observe, I see little sign of it changing. But it will continue to gall me a little when those running our councils pat themselves on the back and seek praise for once again setting the Council Tax increase at zero while getting householders to pay through the nose for what was once considered basic provision.

Big Toddle, Big Fun!IF YOU work with children under 5 then, this year, why not consider joining a Barnardo’s Big Toddle?It is a short, sponsored walk

which last year saw almost 500,000 Toddlers and more than 10,000 groups register. The Big Toddle 2012 has an optional superheroes dressing up theme, so you can get creative with your costumes!All the money raised by the Big

Toddle goes to local Barnardo’s projects for children under 5 throughout the UK. The children’s charity works with vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families. It’s all about children helping children.Whether you are a nursery, an

early years group or a childminder, you can register now for the Big Toddle 2012. Simply go to www.bigtoddle.co.uk

or call 0845 270 9900.

8

Last time I had a street party I nearly died. I live on the M42.

THORNTON W.I.Thursday, 19th January at 7.30 p.m. at Thornton Community Centre“Wildlife Crime” - A Talk by Neil HughesWe greatly enjoyed our “Chilli Christmas “” meeting with Radio and

TV personality Ady Dayman who kept us laughing throughout and sent us home with high expectations of harvesting our own chillies next year. The merriment of the evening was of course, enhanced by sharing a Faith Supper and by the imbibing of wonderful home-made wines kindly donated by member Rosemary Foster. In January, our thoughts will turn to a more serious topic as Neil Hughes

will be educating us about Wildlife Crime.We are all so proud of our lovely rural surroundings and count ourselves

lucky to live here. However, are we proactive enough in preserving and protecting the habitats of native wildlife and the creatures and plants themselves? Did you know that it is not illegal to collect frogspawn, but it is illegal to

knock down a house martin’s nest from under your eaves? Are you aware that bats may not be disturbed wherever they are – unless it is in the living-space of an inhabited house?There are around 150 laws designed to protect wildlife in the UK and

many more global controls that have been adopted. There is no definition of wildlife crime but it could include:

• Disturbing or killing wild birds • Taking birds eggs • Poaching • Stealing wild plants • Badger persecution • Destroying bat roosts • Ill-treating wild animals • Trapping wildlife illegally • Poisoning wildlife illegally • Illegally importing, exporting or trading in endangered species • Use of endangered species or body parts in Traditional Medicines

We greatly look forward to learning more about this interesting topic and warmly invite you to join us.. The MEMBERS’ COMPETITION is for a “Wildlife Item” .(Preferably one

which won’t jump off the Competition Table!)There is a VISITOR’S FEE of £2.

Muriel Walker

Without Walls Christian Fellowship hosts Festive Christmas Lunch

rECENTLY ‘without walls Christian Fellowship’ in Stanton under Bardon hosted a festive Christmas lunch which enjoyed the company of many local visitors. It was also a pleasure to have the involvement of other local church works

such as Bardon Park Chapel and St Mary’s as they came along to offer their support.This was one of the local initiatives which continues to reach out to the

local community, seeking to provide a place where people can come, find friends and just feel cared for. The building which was known as ‘The Chapel’ in previous years has had

some of the windows replaced and the people entrusted with the property were delighted to receive a small grant from the local council which helped towards the costs. Some local councillors came along to see the finished work. They hope to continue to make renovations to the building so that they

can continue to use it to bless and serve the local community and they will be having another lunch during the Easter season. In the meantime everybody is welcome on Sunday mornings at 10am where people come to enjoy each other’s company while worshipping together.

Advert Size Dimensions Colour B/W

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Full Page (A4) 194mm wide x 268mm high £190.00+VAT £140.00+VAT

Ring 01530 244069 to book your advert or email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk

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Only a LOSER would forget Valentine’s Day!CrABTrEE Films will be releasing the British comedy ‘How to Stop Being a Loser’ on dvd on 6th February 2012.Produced by Black & Blue and Press On

Features, ‘How to Stop Being a Loser’ is a warm comedy about James (Simon Phillips) who is the consummate dork and makes Ronnie Corbett look like a modern day Don Juan. Eventually, pick up artist Ampersand (Craig Conway) comes to James’ rescue and teaches him the way of the woman. But as James learns the dark art of seduction from his mentor he begins to wonder if Ampersand is all he appears to be and questions what would truly make him happy in life.Dominic Burns directs this Brit-comedy which also

boasts a fantastic cast, including Gemma Atkinson, Stephanie Leonidas, Martin Compston, Billy Murray, Colin Salmon, Martin Kemp, Sheridan Smith, Adele Silva and Richard E Grant.

Learn how to make your own COSMETICS!SEE Base Formula advert on page 24 ...

9

It’s very easy to become addicted to helter-skelters. It’s a downward spiral.

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Jill Gibson (BIPDT* Grad Hons) is holding a series of workshops in February that will include Obedience, Agility and an understanding of Clicker Training. Each week YOU will learn how to train YOUR dog…. and have a lot of fun learning new skills together.NEW DAYTIME CLASSES FOR FEBRUARY 2012Mondays (start Feb 6th) 10.00 – 11.00 a.m. Tuesdays (start Feb 7th) 10.00 – 11.00 a.m.Thursdays (start Feb 9th) 10.00 – 11.00 a.m.Fridays (start Feb 10th) 10.00 – 11.00 a.m.Venue: Indoor Training School at Tomlinsons Kennels,Ratby Lane, Markfield LE67 9RJ.Workshops will be limited to small groups ensuring dogs and handlers receive quality time while training. Places will be offered on a “first come” basis and will need to be booked in advance. Price per hour: £6.50.

If you feel that your dog may become stressed in a class environment, give me a call... Alternative one to one lessons to begin with will help your dog to feel more relaxed and provide a foundation for introducing social skills around other dogs later on.

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10

The trouble with an all-day breakfast is you’ve got to eat it so slowly.

Public exhibition of housing proposals in Bagworth

The above streetscene graphic gives an idea of how the proposed housing development would look.

The images are indicative only. A public exhibition is planned for Monday 30th January 2012 at Bagworth Village Hall, Station Road, Bagworth between 4.30pm and 7.00pm.

11

I’ll tell you an actor who’s rubbish. Dustbin Hoffman.

Creative writing award launched by Shuttlewood Clarke and RSPBTHE LOUgHBOrOUgH branch of the rSPB and local charity the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation have teamed up to launch a wonderful Creative writing Award in memory of Olive Snelson a stalwart member of the bird watching group.The Loughborough RSPB Creative Writing

Award will run annually with the first award being launched on 1st January 2012. The award will be open to any schoolchild (of any year) who visits the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation’s Yew Trail outdoor classroom, near Markfield, as part of an organised school party during the entry period. Entries will be in the form of a poem, story, essay on the subject of birds, wildlife or / and the countryside. The judges will be looking for a real interest, passion and excitement in the outdoor environment.Alan Norman, Chief Executive of the Foundation said “The

Loughborough branch of the RSPB have been very supportive of the Foundation’s Yew Trail project and we are delighted to be working together with them on such an exciting project. The Yew Trail outdoor classroom holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge and is a wonderful facility for mainstream and specialist schools. We look forward to welcoming many more schools to the site in 2012 and receiving many fantastic entries in the competition”For full details of the competition and how to book a visit to the

Yew Trail please email yewtrail@shuttlewood-clarke.org

Come and Enjoy anotherThree Course

Home Made Meal& help raise money for Markfield Churches

In the Congregational Hall Main Street, Markfield

On Friday 27th January 2012From 6.30pm

Home Made Soup,Home Made pate,

********Trio of Lamb served with potato & seasonal vegetables,

Trio of Fish********

Hogmanay TartApple Pie********

Tickets £9.00 each for all 3 courses or £7.00 for 2 courses

For tickets and more informationTel Brenda on 01530 242173

All welcome - if you need a lift it can be organised.

Christmas Comes Early For Two Leicestershire CharitiesCHrISTMAS has come early for two Leicestershire charities following a donation from Bardon-based housebuilder, david wilson Homes. The company has donated £274.85 to both the Coalville

and District Cancer Research and Redgate Animal Sanctuary in Markfield. Staff working for the housebuilder raised the funds

through monthly dress down days and nominated the charities through an internal vote. Representatives from both organisations recently visited

David Wilson Homes’ head office to receive the cheques from Managing Director, John Reddington. He comments “We are delighted to show our support for these incredibly worthwhile local charities by presenting them with cheques from our staff ’s fundraising activities. “Both are extremely worthwhile causes and deserving

recipients of the money that we have raised. “As a company, we are committed to supporting local

organisations and I’d like to thank all the staff for their generosity throughout 2011. I look forward to undertaking more fundraising activities in 2012.”Sandra Allen, Treasurer and Acting Secretary at

Coalville and District Cancer Research, comments “We were delighted that David Wilson Homes chose Cancer Research UK as one of the charities they supported on their dress-down day. When we called to collect the cheque for £274.85, we were made very welcome by everyone. “This donation will help the many researchers who depend on Cancer Research UK, to turn their discoveries made in the lab into effective treatments

against cancer. On behalf of our committee, the researchers and those being treated for cancer, a very big thank you.”Tim Fish, Yard Manager at Redgate Animal Sanctuary, adds “As a charity, we totally rely on donations from the public and companies like David Wilson

Homes, even more so during the current climate as more and more animals are being given up because people can’t afford to keep them. “Each year it costs us £150,000 to simply keep the sanctuary open so any donation that we receive is greatly appreciated and I’d like to thank the staff at

David Wilson Homes for choosing to support our charity.”

Joyce Price and Sandra Allen from Coalville and District Cancer Research and Kristina Linnell from Redgate Animal Sanctuary with John Reddington and the team at David Wilson Homes

12

I’ve been out with a number of girls. One is the number.

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Valuation Day in StantonTHErE will be another vALUATION dAY held in St Mary & All Saints Church, Stanton under Bardon on wednesday 8th February 2012, between 10.00am and 3.00pm.vanessa Savage, Senior Valuer for

Hansons Auctioneers, Derbyshire will be with us for the day. Donations will go towards church funds. Maximum of 5 items per person to be valued.Tea and coffee will be served. Please

come along.

Gail Massey

News update from the Club in ThorntonwE wOULd like to start by hoping that you all a prosperous and healthy New Year from the club committee.This is to inform all what is happening. All club members should now be

aware that membership renewal fees are now due. This year we aim to get this done as soon as possible, unlike last year which took 4 - 5 months to complete. The time allowed in the C.I.U. rules is 2 months for all subscriptions to be paid or it could mean that you lose your membership.Times are hard everywhere, this does not exclude clubs and pubs. This

club belongs to you, you own it, can make decisions on its running - not the brewery. We do need your support. We do all we can to keep you entertained, Saturdays, we have music, including live bands. Monday is darts, Tuesday bingo, Thursday is pool night, but we have free pool table on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sundays. There is free room hire (subject to terms & conditions) for a lot of

events for example, birthdays (over 21’s and under 16’s) weddings retirement parties to name just a few. For the people who do not know us, the days of cloth caps and “that’s my seat” are long gone, everyone is welcome. We have, we believe, the lowest overall prices around, without the need for low cost card schemes. Our steward Gary, keeps the beers at the very best quality at all times. We can cater buffet style foods at very competitive prices. We have Sky Sports and show all major games, and we would like to be able to keep this facility for all the sports fans, as we have said all are welcome. If this is not supported we will lose it! Our charity last year was Leicestershire Air Ambulance, and we raised

over £1,500 - a big thank you for all helped us to get this great sum. This year our charity is Help for Heroes, we have already raised £300 and are hoping to beat last year’s total. One way to help is to buy a cob on a Saturday night as all monies raised are for the charity. We are trying to get dominoes teams together - particularly ladies teams - on Tuesdays and Fridays, if you are interested please contact Ivor Starkey, through the club. Also we are trying to get ‘Darts Knock Out’ on Sunday nights with a small entrance fee, which will be the cash prize.The more players the bigger the cash prize, if you are interested please see Andy Cave.We have a premises licence as

well as the club licence so you don’t have to be a member to come in.We need your support, you

sometimes do not know what you have got until it’s gone so please use the club or you may lose it.We are very lucky to have two

pubs and a shop in Thornton. We lost our Post Office but we definitely don’t want to lose our club.

THE CLUB COMMITTEE

New Literacy Support ServiceA LEICESTErSHIrE teacher has set up a website to support parents and children in the development of reading and writing. Steve Goodman takes the

view that learning to read early is essential, because as soon as children can make sense of written words they have independent access to ideas and information. “If you cannot read or write, learning becomes much more difficult, and future employment opportunities become limited,” he said.The service, which is completely

free, is available by logging on to: www.pinewoodliteracy.co.uk then clicking on the Reading and Writing page. It begins with ideas to learn phonics and will move on to identification of vowels. This will be followed by blending letters then making the link between reading and writing. Weekly updates allow people to make regular progress. Steve explained that, “This method is successful because it depends on the parent’s interaction with his or her child rather than upon a series of photocopied worksheets. It’s an old fashioned approach, but it works!”

13

The hardest thing about voting with your feet is doing a handstand in the polling booth.

Interested in local history?

Come along to the Local History Group AGMTHE MArKFIELd Local History group is holding its AgM on Tuesday 17th January, 7.30pm at Markfield Methodist Church. This will be the AGM and a business meeting, but we welcome anyone

who is interested in joining and as we are finishing off the meeting with light refreshments provided by members and there will be an opportunity for potential new members to find out a bit more about the group.

Hairy top lips at the Red Lion!

A grOUP of locals from the red Lion, Markfield, two teams known as ‘Young Uns & Old Uns’ set each other a challenge to grow moustache/beard in aid of Prostate Cancer, which was known as Movember, during the month of November they all went the whole month without shaving! This was quite a sight to see and they had to suffer the wrath of wives,

girlfriends and work colleagues etc!!Together with the help of family and friends they raised over £300 for the

charity.In the photo above are: Back row (l-r): Dean Cave (Barry), Paul Taylor,

Nick (careful) Brindley, Mik Nyul, Jay Collis (liam), Craig CaveFront row(l-r): Alan (Elvis) Ward, Jim Hill, Steve Murray, Chris Tarry (Taz)More money was raised due to two lads volunteering to have moustaches

waxed off, but the pictures are too harrowing to include!

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14

I met this alien who couldn’t stop swearing. He was an extra-Tourettestrial.

Latest News from Markfield wIONCE again the wI have been busy enjoying a variety of activities both in and out of the village.

We began in November with our Quiz Evening at the Coach and Horses, which has become an annual event and once again tickets sold out very quickly. Eight teams comprised of members and non members took part and our brains, memories and intellects were stretched by the questions set by Pete Johnson who was a lively and entertaining quizmaster. Midway through the quiz the WI committee served a Ploughman’s Supper with food purchased from our local deli and very good it was too. An entertaining evening was had by all and we get the feeling that everyone is looking forward to next year.

Later in November we had our Birthday Meal at The Village Restaurant in Newtown Linford. Members enjoyed an excellent three course meal in very pleasant surroundings and again we look forward to next year!

Our December meeting saw us being entertained to an evening of magic presented by Brian Lord of the Leicester Magic Circle. Brian told us all about the Magic Circle and interspersed his talk with a variety of tricks and jokes. Brian was a very good speaker and magician, impressing us with his dexterity and sleight of hand. Fortunately those members who gave £5 notes for tricks did eventually get them back and no one was sawn in half or made to disappear! The only rabbits produced were those brought in for the competition! The evening ended with some festive refreshments to get us in the mood for Christmas.

The Knit and Natter group, which also contains some non WI members, continues to meet on

the first Wednesday of the month at the Bull’s Head from 7pm. Our last project was knitting fingerless gloves for the Shuttlewood Clark Foundation and these have now been handed over. We are now working on a project for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations to be held at the Community Centre in June. If you are a knitter or would like to take up knitting or crochet please come along and join us, we are very lively and friendly group and the only condition of belonging is that you buy a drink, wine, soft drink, coffee or whatever you fancy! We are made to feel very welcome at the pub by Mick and Liz.

We have a new programme for 2012 starting on Jan 18th with a talk by a local Vet and during the year we will have speakers from Clarins make up, a chocolatier from Hannah’s at Quorn, a floristry demonstration, an Antiques Roadshow with a local auctioneer and much more. In August we are putting on an open evening which will take the form of a period Fashion Show by Notty Hornblower from the Hope

Costume Museum in Derbyshire. Notty is very well known in the field of fashion history and anyone who has seen her Fashion Shows or visited her museum will assure you that she is not to be missed. More details of this later.

We will also be enjoying visits out. Some members are going to Curve to see 42nd Street and we are hoping to make our usual trip in June to Kilworth House for a picnic and performance of Me and My Girl. Following our previous successful trips to London I am sure that one will be organised for later in the year.

On behalf of all our members I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year and also to extend a welcome to any ladies who would be interested in joining us on the third Wednesday of the month, 7.45pm at the Methodist Church on Main St. Further information can be obtained from:Fran Johnson: 01530 243350Jane Barrington: 01530 243285

Fran Johnson

15

I love it when people repeat what I’ve said but don’t quote me on that.

Markfield Rangers News

The Rangers Horse Comes InI wOULd like to start this month by thanking everyone who took part in our race Night back in November. It was a great night and we raised plenty of much needed funds for the

club. Special thanks go out to all of our sponsors for the evening and the Queen’s Head who hosted the event.December didn’t see much action for either side due to fixture

cancellations. The 1st Team ended November by smashing eight past bottom of the league Loughborough Academicals before losing out to Oadby Owls in the County Cup. A disappointing first half cost them as they went down 4-2 at home. The lads then enjoyed a rest as a cancellation against Birstall and a no

show by Loughborough Saints meant that there were no fixtures left in 2011. Rumours are rife that the Saints didn’t want to enter the Christmas holidays on the back of a huge defeat (and we can’t blame them).The Reserves finished an otherwise successful November with defeat at

home to Birstall Trees. Unfortunately they couldn’t finish off the year on a high when the suffered successive defeats to Hillmoren and FC Hob.As we enter 2012 there is plenty to look forward to in the second half of

the season and hopefully the lads can bring home some silverware.

Tom Flowitt Chairman

Our borough’s streets are amongst the country’s cleanest - it’s official!THE streets of Hinckley & Bosworth are amongst the cleanest in the country – according to the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE).The accolade was awarded to the Borough

Council after the authority entered APSE’s annual awards competition and reached the final in the “street cleansing best performer” category for its high performance and low cost. The cost per household for the borough’s

street cleansing service is £18.68 compared to a national average of £35.59. At the same time, the percentage of sites failing to meet national cleanliness standards is only 2% compared to an average of 14% nationally. Councillor Bill Crooks, Executive Member responsible for Refuse and

Recycling, said: “We have an excellent team of dedicated staff who work very hard to keep the borough clean. But it needs everyone to do there bit too, so thank you to everyone who puts their litter in a bin and who cleans up after their dog.”APSE is a not-for-profit local government body working with over 300

councils throughout the UK to promote excellence in public services and the awards are a means of recognising the most outstanding performers.Commenting on the awards Mark Bramah, APSE’s assistant chief

executive said: “With decreasing budgets and increasing demand on public services the winners of this year’s awards have shown that they are performing better each year in public service delivery”. In addition to its own street cleansing service, the council is very happy

to support local communities who want to arrange a litter pick, or anyone who wants to be a volunteer litter picker. For those who are interested in getting involved, please contact the Neighbourhood Wardens on 01455 255977.

Paintballing site plannedA planning application for a paintballing centre at Cliffe Lane near Markfield has been lodged with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. The application number is 11/00918/FUL.

16

I’m totally deaf, and I never thought I’d hear myself say that.

Extracts from Latest Markfield Parish Council MinutesTHE UPBEATLES ARE COMING TO

THORNTON CLUB!Enjoy an evening with the Fab Four

Saturday 18 February - 8.00 p.m. onwards The UpBeatles are: Tony Wadsworth, Pete Hancock,

Chris Highton and Mark WhitehouseEntry £5.00 - all proceeds in support of the Friends of St Peter’s,Thornton

For more information phone Dianne (01530 230123) or Karen (01530 230631)

THE FOLLOwINg items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Markfield Parish Council on 6th december 2011: November 2011 Crime Figures 1 Burglary Dwelling: Countrymans Way- enquiries on going 1 Burglary other: Stoney Lane Farm – Mr Sprason stated that the family had installed a gate to prevent easy access, but as land owners the County Council had asked them to remove it. The residents had offered to buy the piece of land from Leicestershire County Highways and Mr Sprason would continue to support the residents in the matter. 1 Theft From Little Shaw Lane, Registration Plate Stolen 1 Theft of Motor Vehicle Travel Lodge Mr Sprason stated that there had also been an attempted theft of Diesel from Cliffe Hill Quarry

Parking problems on the junction of Main Street/Forest Road: The members noted that there had recently been an improvement.

Local Authority Traffic Wardens: - The members were very concerned about the increasing incidents of illegal and irresponsible parking along Main Street around the shops and the lack of enforcement. Mr Sprason

stated that a review of the system was currently taking place, which had already showed that Towns and Cities were being covered well, but not rural areas. Mr Lay and Mr Sprason had already lobbied to get a better attendance of Traffic Wardens into rural areas. The Parish Council would gather photographic evidence and then write to the Chief Executive at the Borough Council.

Parish Council website: Mr T Heeley re: eicestershireparishcouncils.org: - The clerk had requested a domain name so that the Parish Councillors have a Parish Council email address (linked to their own). Total cost £40.00 per annum. The clerk had input Mrs A Cook and Mrs A Lay personal telephone numbers for contact details as requested. Mrs M Gondolo-Gordon had emailed a short résumé to the clerk which had been input onto the site and the clerk asked the remaining members to do something similar so she could input their details as well.

Local History Group – Proposal to erect a War Memorial in Markfield: - Mrs Gondolo-Gordon had attended the Local History Group’s walk recently and several potential sites had been discussed; The Green, Junction of Neville Drive/Main Street and the Cemetery. The Group had

17

I was going to buy some slippers today but then I got cold feet.

Extracts from Latest Markfield Parish Council Minutesagreed to ask a local quarry for a donation of a memorial stone – “Markfieldite”.

Faulty Christmas Lights: Mr D Tebbatt had attended to repair/replace the lights as necessary at the end of October 2011. The clerk had telephoned him on 24th November 2011 to confirm that they would be turned on by Saturday 3rd December 2011, but Mr Tebbatt was under the impression that they were already on. The clerk informed him that the lights had never been on so Mr Tebbatt agreed to try to get someone out on Friday 2nd December. The lights still weren’t on to date and the clerk had not been able to contact Mr Tebbatt.

Correspondence - Request for additional Christmas lighting – from a resident of Neville Drive. The members discussed the matter and agreed to pursue obtaining additional Christmas lighting next year pending suitable partnership funding from local businesses.

British Cycling – BMX Race Track – unused land at Jubilee Playing Fields; - No further update from Mr A Brettle. Mr Sprason understood that the funding received from the Parish and Community Initiative Scheme could be used to fund the Eco survey required for the site; therefore the

Recreational Grounds Trust should order the survey to be done.

Schools - Academy status: - Mr Sprason stated that Charnwood High School governors had met in the previous week and agreed to put forward the proposal for Academy Status to parents for consultation. It was envisaged that there would be 120 Academies in Leicestershire including Bosworth and Desford. Academies would be able to set their own catchment areas, give each individual school far more control over its finances and future management by contracting out and not relying on local authorities.

Old Timken site, Kirby Muxloe: - Mr Sprason stated that the original planning permission was granted for a storage site for Poundstretcher, for non-food operation, but the site now appeared to be operating more as a distribution centre. Approximately 30 LGV’s per hour were now running to and from the site in contravention of the planning regulations. Enforcement Officers were now trying to enforce planning regulations.

Junction of Park Avenue from Main Street, request for a Traffic Regulation Order: - The clerk had followed the matter up – a reply was awaited.

CISWO (Coal Industry and Social Welfare Organisation) Miners’ Welfare Institute: Planning Applications: - 128 Main Street. 11/00765/CON; Partial demolition of meeting hall to facilitate development 11/00764/FUL; Partial demolition of existing buildings to form a refurbished office with dwelling and the erection of one new dwelling. Mr Lay stated that as a result of an onsite planning meeting, planning officers had recommended a refusal of the planning application.

New Homes Bonus – Jelson development: - Mr Lay stated that at a meeting of the Parishes Forum, Parish Chairs had agreed to accept 25% of the Bonus. Ongoing. Mr Lay had spoken to local planning officers and it appeared that it was the farm owner’s intention to keep the farm and surrounding out buildings. No new plans had been submitted as yet.

H & BBC Council Tax 2012/2013: - Mr Lay stated that the council had proposed a 0% increase in Council Tax for the next financial year; this would be partly funded by a 2.5% subsidy from central government but was still behind the current rate of inflation.

Loan Agreement: - Two copies of a Loan Agreement between Markfield

Community Centre Association and Markfield Parish Council was signed by the Chairman and clerk on behalf of the Parish Council. Both copies would be passed on to MCA for two members to sign and a copy would be kept by each party.

Community Centre Energy Assessment funding application: Mr Lockley stated that an application for funding needed to be made to the County Council as soon as possible by Markfield Community Centre Association. Mr Lay and Mrs Gondolo-Gordon would follow the matter up.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council: Parish Precept 2012/2013; - The Borough Council required notification from the Parish Council of its Precept requirement for 2012/2013, before January 6th 2012. A Budget Review Workshop had been held on 9th November 2011, where the Parish Council’s Finances and future budgetary requirements were discussed in detail - see Report -November 2011. Mr Lay gave a brief report of the recommendations made at the Budget Review Workshop held on 9th November 2011. Resolved, it was proposed by Mr R Browning and seconded by Mrs A Lay a proposed Annual Parish Precept for 2012/2013 an overall 2.5% increase to £87,304.20. The proposal was unanimously accepted.

18

I once stayed at a four-star hotel. All the rooms were full of petrol.

Look out! Look out! Arachne’s about!Since last September, we have been gallivanting in gooseberry green, in anticipation of our production of “Mother goose” which is to be staged in January.

A SCOTTISH EVENING “Quiz & Cuisine”

Trinity Methodist Church 7 p.m. Friday, 3rd February

You are invited to join a team of six to answer questions on

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As the date nears, we hope that everything will work like a well-oiled machine! Questions crown in! Are the backcloths all painted and the properties made? Have we purchased enough pairs of tights and do the costumes fit? Did we remember to order the extra lighting and are the make-up boxes re-stocked ? Is all the music just as required and are the song and dance routines practised to perfection? Pantomime is a very old tradition;

one which seems to have become rather diminished in recent years when, in many professional productions, the storyline comes a poor second to the need to recognize the status of the star performers! We, in MTTG, can offer no stars, but we will do our very best to twinkle brightly for you as we tell the story of “Mother Goose”. Traditional pantomime should

bring something for everyone. I have just been looking at a playbill for an 1803 pantomime which promised tumbling among the Egyptian pyramids, tight-rope dancing , a military hornpipe and horse-vaulting! Who could resist? So, what can we promise? Well,

certainly a portal to Fairyland, an amazing feathered creature, terpsichorean delights, a doomed get-rich-quick scheme and a pool that holds more rejuvenating properties than any Icelandic geyser! Although it forms only a small

part of what our Group does, our members really enjoy staging pantomime. It is a time when we need to really call on our good teamwork. Believe me, the people who work tirelessly backstage, and who never get to share the thrill of the limelight, are truly valued. We were delighted that our last

piece in the Herald brought us two

people to help backstage. Who knows? We may tempt one of them – or even both- to tread the boards in future productions. We can’t wait for January when

we hope to be hissed, booed and applauded in equal measure. I hear that the evil Arachne has been spotted concocting and consuming wicked potions in the bar of a local hostelry; that Mother Goose is hoping that Santa will bring her some new underwear from the Army and Navy Surplus on-line store and that the Fairy Queen has booked into Markfield Surgery for the removal of pine needles after her stint on top of the Christmas Tree in Town Hall Square. The Pantomime runs from 9th

to 14th January, at Thornton Community Centre at 7.30 nightly, with a matinee performance on the Saturday. So, if this issue reaches you in time, and you’d like to come, please ring me on 01455 822148. There are, to date, some tickets left for the early part of the week. After the pantomime we move on

to our Spring Production so, if you would like to come and see what

we do, we meet every Wednesday Night at Thornton Community Centre at 7.30 p.m. Our lower age limit is sixteen, but there is no upper age limit! You will be assured of a warm welcome and, whatever your talent, we can use it!

Muriel Walker Writer & Director of “Mother Goose”

Kirt Hammonds rehearsing the title Role of “Mother Goose”

LETTERThe family of the late ROBERT TRENHOLM would like to thank, sincerely, ALL the medical staff, carers and good people who have enquired after, and looked after, ‘Mr T’ during the past many years.Mrs.E.M.Trenholm Markfield

Smile Lines• My neighbour knocked on my

door at 2:30 this morning, can you believe that? 2:30am?Luckily for him I was still up

playing my bagpipes.

• The Grim Reaper came for me last night, and I beat him off with a vacuum cleaner. Talk about Dyson with death.

• Paddy says, “Mick, I’m thinking of buying a Labrador. “Really?” says Mick “have you seen how many of their owners go blind?”

• I saw a poor old lady fall over today on the ice! At least I presume she was poor - she only had £1.20 in her purse.

• My girlfriend thinks that I’m a stalker... Well, she’s not exactly my girlfriend yet.

• The wife has been missing a week now. Today police said to prepare for the worst. So I have been to the charity shop to get all her clothes back.

• A mate of mine admitted to being addicted to brake fluid. When I quizzed him on it, he reckoned he could stop any time.

• My daughter asked me for a pet spider for her birthday, so I went to our local pet shop and they were £70. “Blow this,” I thought, “I can get one cheaper off the web.”

• I was driving this morning when I saw an RAC van parked by the road. The driver was sobbing uncontrollably. I thought to myself, “That guy’s heading for a breakdown.”

19

Believe it or not, there are twice as many eyebrows in the world as there are people.

Scouts Christmas Fair

ON SATUrdAY dec 10th Markfield Scout group held their annual Christmas Fair which this year was attended by the deputy Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth Councillor Martin Cartwright and his wife Susan. They toured all the stalls and

spoke to the members and leaders of the group. They also judged and awarded

Grant Award

MARCO IS COMING BACK! Pass it on!BAgwOrTH and Thornton Parish Council have been awarded £700 funding from the Staying Healthy Community grant Scheme 2011.Karen Mason Sports Development Manager HBBC wrote to the Parish

Council recently confirming that their Football and Cricket Project for Children and Young People had been accepted and that they had been allocated £700. She said “We were overwhelmed with a high number of applications

and your project has been chosen as it not only successfully meets the priorities of the Hinckley & Bosworth Health and WellBeing Partnership, but it shows great creativity for the benefit of local people”.The funding must be spent before the end of March 2011 and the

Council have been able to obtain Marco Storino’s services as coach for 30 sessions. If you would like your children or young people, boys and girls, to

take part in this scheme please Email clerk@bagworthandthornton.org.uk or tel.01530 230 990. You will be contacted when the start date is confirmed.If you live in the community and would be interested in volunteering

to assist the coach and acquire some training at the same time please contact us at the same address or phone number.The Parish Council are seeking further funding to carry on the

sessions for football and cricket from April onwards.A major redevelopment of the Bagworth Old Colliery Sports Ground

is at the planning stage and some funding has already been identified. Building up teams of all ages from within the community will be an essential part of the success of this project.

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Councillor & Mrs Cartwright with Reuben Sandland receiving his

Bronze award and Margaret Beck

the prizes for the children’s competition to make a Christmas tree decoration. Due to a misunderstanding with the District they also stepped in at the last minute to present Chief Scout Bronze awards to 2 beavers Cecilia Elliott and Reuben Sandland.

Margaret Beck (Beaver Leader)

20

Someone once told me I smelt of washing powder. It was so bio-degrading.

Christmas Cakes & Christingles Trinity Methodist Play Church was a hive of activity in the weeks leading up to Christmas as all the children had the opportunity to make their own Christmas cake to celebrate Jesus’s birthday. They measured & mixed the ingredients

(tasting just a few on the way) then marzipanned & iced their baked cakes before taking them home to save until the special day. All this was marvellously messy and a lot of fun.We also had fun at the Christmas party

when we played games, enjoyed party food and were pleasantly surprised when Prince the dog made his début appearance. Children and adults alike were delighted by Prince’s entertainment and thanked him for the gifts he handed out to each child.Café Church Christingle saw Prince making

a second appearance when he and his handler, Douglas, explained the meaning of the Christingle. Everyone who came to this informal service participated by joining in an alternative telling of the Christmas story, singing carols and making Christingles with the oranges and sweets provided. We were refreshed by drinks and mince pies served by the hard-working “café staff ”, and entertained by members of Mercenfeld choir whose joyful singing of the Christingle Song was particularly meaningful.Play Church meets from 3.15 to 4.15 on Mondays during term time and Café Church is held on the second Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. New faces are

always welcome. Why not give us a try?

LOROS Winter Warmer Raffle Winners AnnouncedEIgHT lucky LOrOS supporters recently celebrated winning a prize in the LOrOS winter warmer raffle draw held at the hospice just prior to Christmas.

The first prize winner, Ruth, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been a supporter of the hospice for many years and a volunteer in one of the LOROS shops for the last 11 years. She was utterly amazed when she received a telephone call from Lottery Manager Liz Singleton telling her of her good fortune but delighted once the news had sunk in. Ruth then had a big decision to make; having been offered the choice between £10,000 in cash or a brand new Peugeot 207 Access, she consulted her family and after some deliberation decided to take the cash.

Liz Singleton commented “When the draw was made nobody realised that Ruth was a regular volunteer for LOROS, it wasn’t until I telephoned with the news that I found out. I’m delighted that on this occasion someone who has given so much to LOROS over the years has won the first prize”. The Winter Warmer Raffle brought in over £125,000, a fantastic amount of money which will help to maintain vital services

both at the hospice and out in the community. Liz added “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters for their generosity. The profit from this raffle will make a real contribution to patient care, both at the hospice and in the community”.

The winning ticket numbers in the LOROS Winter Warmer Raffle are:

0532271: £10,0000294277: £5000191392: £2500299031: £500211607: £500409575: £500405558: £500537322: £50The next major LOROS raffle draw

will be held in May 2012 with tickets being mailed to supporters during March. Tickets will also be available from all LOROS shops or the lottery office on 0116 2318430 from mid March onwards. Another £10,000 cash prize will be on offer along with 7 other prizes and following the draw even more lucky winners will be announced.

If you would like to receive tickets to buy or sell on to family, friends and colleagues just ring the lottery office on the above number or email lottery@loros.co.uk to place your order.

21

I bought some Bermuda shorts and when I took them off, my pants had vanished.

Get your FREE Guide

We Want Good, Tasty, Local Food and DrinkMOST of us say we want our food to be good and tasty and locally produced. It must be a reasonable price and, as far as possible, avoid scary things such as food miles, preservatives, additives and gM.On top of all that, many of us worry about the dominance of supermarkets

- what will happen when they are so big that we have no choice to buy locally at all? How important is it to try to stop that trend? And why do they so often sell us expensive, tasteless, plastic-wrapped fodder? And they pay farmers a pittance, thus affecting our local economies, as well as your pocket.The news is good - surveys

show that more and more people actually want Good, Tasty, Local food. They agree with these principles and are actively doing something about it. This can spark some great community projects. People everywhere are finding that the process can be interesting, exciting, fun and very tasty! But others find it more difficult. If you are local (Markfield and a circle of villages around) and you’d like

to know more about how to achieve something far better for yourself, your family and even your community - send for “The Quick Basic Guide”. This is all about how you can easily make a difference. In addition to giving you several pages full of good ideas, it also suggests interesting possibilities for local community activity. The Guide is produced voluntarily by the Good Local Food Circle - there is no club, business or profit involved. And it is Free!For your FREE copy of the Guide simply request it by either:

email letterboxdoug@idnet.com (for an email copy) or send a s.a.e to GLFC, c/o 86 Forest Road, Markfield LE67 9UN.

Douglas E. Maas

1.2.

Feb 8th Wendy Freer ~ A Talk ~ Canal Boat People March 14th ~ Carole Manchester ~ A Talk about being a Taxidermist

April 11th ~ Steve Brooks ~ Tales of a Travel Agent May 9th Fiona Ure ~ Everything stops for tea

June 13th ~ Mike Bull ~ A talk about the Little Theatre Aug 8th Skittles ~ 7.15 for 7.30pm ~ At Little Markfield Farm Sep 12th Thomas Coxon ~ Feng Shui & Chinese Horoscopes

Oct 10th ~ Food LinkNov 14th ~ Rob Bostock ~ Life of a Vet

Dec 12th ~ Christmas Party Jan ~9th ~ Dinner

Markfield HomeMakers Programme for 2012

Markfield HomeMakers meet in the Congregational Hall, Main Street, Markfield, on the second Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm.

Contact No’s: Brenda on 01530 242173 or Iris on 01530 242436

Groby, Ratby, Glenfield, Kirby Muxloe, Markfield, Field Head & Surrounding Villages

22

My girlfriend got in the car and her tights ripped, so I gave her the fan belt.

Cross Hills Baptist ChurchServing the villages of Thornton & Bagworth plus the surrounding area

Contact NumbersPastor: Garry Kelly 07816 616189

Secretary: Lynda Kelly - 07903 774491Treasurer: Glynis Straw - 01530 230272

Parish Nurse: Vera Harding: 01530 230557

Extracts from Stanton Under Bardon Parish Council MinutesTHE FOLLOwINg items were among the topics discussed at the meeting of Stanton Parish Council held on Tuesday 14th december 2010 at The Youth Club, Stanton under Bardon, Leicestershire:COMMUNITY POLICE COMMENTS1 x Burglary at Horsepool Grange - Tools taken - No Suspects.Country Watch Scheme to be launched January 2011 Farmers DNA Kits

further details to follow.COUNTY COUNCILLOr’S rEPOrTFootpath improvements are currently taking place on Little Shaw Lane.

Stanton Lane is due to be surface dressed and patched in the new year.Settlement figures from the government have been agreed there will

need to be a 1.75% reduction for 2011 and a 2.0% reduction for 2012 (£8,000,000).The District Councils have also been hit hard by the spending review and

will need to look at how they will continue to deliver some services.Mrs Allen has complained about the state of the unadopted Road off

Main Street. As it is unadopted Leicestershire County Council have no legal obligation to repair it. Mr Sprason advised that she would need to speak to the District Council.MIdLANd QUArrY PrOdUCTS rEPOrTNo report. Mr Palmer attended the Liaison Committee Meeting and

reported that Mr Adrian Howe has now left MQP. Blasting will also commence in the new year.CLErK’S rEPOrTHBBC have donated £50.00 to the Council towards any Christmas

Festivities.a) Financial Report Proposed: Mr John PalmerSeconded: Mrs Jane Lawrence-BainesReport attached for November.b) Precept 2011/12The Precept has been agreed at £9750.00.Community responder donationClerk to write and ask if they have ever been called out to the Village. A

decision will be made once reply received.golden Jubilee Committee May day FeteAgreed that event can be held on the Recreation Ground on the

01/05/11. Relevant Insurance to be sent to the Council. Clerk asked to remind them that if any damage is caused to the recreation ground then it must be repaired immediately.PArISH PrOPErTIESa) recreation groundReport filed Mrs Jane Lawrence-Baines.There is a problem with Mole Hills again - after speaking to Pest Control

the best time to deal with them is February.b) Springy & play equipmentQuote to be obtained from Play Dale for a springy and slide. The fencing

around the play area has also been quoted for. Another quote to be obtained before a decision can be made.Also been reported that the MUGA is starting to collect water in one

area. Chairman to contact Supplier as still under Guarantee.c) Work to be done on recreation Ground after Inspection.Painting of the Benches and Swing - Quote to be sought.

Carol Concert with Marwood Brass Band, 17th decemberOur Saturday evening Carol

Concert was a great success this year, with spare seats being hard to find by 7.30pm! The traditional Christmas story was told with Bible readings, some from the more modern versions of the Bible, and carols sung accompanied by the band, loud enough to lift the roof!Our Pastor, Garry’s message was

about gifts at Christmas, with some amusing stories about many of our much loved men’s ways of choosing and wrapping gifts! The greatest gift we’ve been given though is the gift from God of his son, Jesus, for us to unwrap and accept into our hearts, not leave under the tree until next year. Part way through the concert our surprise guest, Santa Claus, called in to visit and this year he had a lovely little elf with him to help hand out sweets to the children from his Christmas sack.Mince pies, tea and coffee

followed and there was a lovely warm and friendly atmosphere as people chatted and enjoyed each other’s company. The offering that was taken during the service raised £128, half of which went to the Hinckley Homeless Project and the other half to support Marwood Brass Band.

Christmas Family Service and Children’s presentation, 18th decemberThe children of the Sunday Club

presented a traditional Nativity with Mary & Joseph and the baby Jesus and visits by the angels and shepherds and narrated by Lynda, one of the leaders. It is always heart-warming to see the young children, even though they are few in number, doing their Christmas presentation. Pastor Garry then presented the annual Christmas prizes of Christian books and Bible stories to the children.

donations to Hinckley Homeless Project and Charity Christmas CardA special collection was taken

during our Christmas Day service, which raised £87, and this was put together with the £64 from the Carol Service. We are pleased to be able to continue to support the Hinckley Homeless Project at Lawrence House with their work with homeless young people and families in the area and a total of £151 was taken to them this year.Also, some of our church family

again decided to donate to a charity Christmas card instead of writing individual cards. This raised £29 which has been sent to the most popular suggested charity this year, The Salvation Army.

Social Events for 2012The first of these is a skittles

evening on Friday 13th January at the Coach & Horses, Field Head.Please look out for the local

posters or details in The Herald for our future events.The Cross Hills Church family

would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2012. We look forward to welcoming

you to our services during 2012, especially on Sunday 15th January when Stewart Johnson from Wycliffe Bible translators is speaking (full details were in last month’s Herald). The Church Service Information section in this magazine shows the times of our services.

Glynis Straw Treasurer – on behalf of the Cross Hills church family

HusbandsTwo men were in a pub, talking about how highly their wives

thought of them. The first man said, “My wife, she thinks so much of me that she won’t let me do any work around the house. It’s incredible.” The second man said, “That’s nothing. My wife thinks I’m God. Every night at the table, she places a burnt offering before me.”

23

I know a woman who looks like a washing line. Her name’s Peggy.

A chance to explore life’s questions and a lot more about the Christian faith.

Wednesdays until Easter 7.30pm at The Rectory, Markfield

More information from Rosemary on 242844

Churches Together in Markfield

24

I fell in love with a clumsy cleaner. She swept me off my feet.

Latest happenings at Little Markfield FarmNews from Brenda FeatherstoneOn 6th december we came second in the Melton Fat Stock Show and Sale with our Pork, Leek and ginger Sausages.This year’s Open

Farm Sunday at Little Markfield Farm is on the 10th June. This year it is going to be bigger and better than last year with a cookery demonstration done by Simon Morgan a chef that use to be on BBC Radio Leicester until he had to have a heart transplant. He now raises money for Papworth Hospital in

Cambridge and Glenfield Hospital by doing charity meals. We supplied him with lamb and pork for his latest one, and all of the other ingredients had been sourced within 10 miles of Newbold Verdon. Also at the Open Day, we will have sausage making demonstrations done by Alf our butcher and craft demonstrations done by Barry Phillips, along with all the crafts, vintage tractors, stationary engines, and the animals. If you would like a stall, contact us on (01530) 242173.Back in October you may remember that Coralie Featherstone entered

the Leicestershire Cook Off. She came a close second, and now she is going to Wales with Loughborough College to compete in the Welsh Culinary Championships. Good luck Coralie!

Coralie Featherstone with her prize

25

I went on holiday with my horse. It was self-cantering.

County Councillor’s Report from David Sprason

“Living well with dementia: A National dementia Strategy (NdS)” sets out a vision for transforming dementia services with the aim of achieving better awareness of dementia, early diagnosis and high quality treatment at whatever stage of the illness and in whatever setting. Within the NDS dementia is

defined as: “A syndrome which may be caused by a number of illnesses in which there is progressive decline in multiple areas of function, including decline in memory, reasoning, communication skills and the ability to carry out daily activities. Alongside this decline, individuals may develop behavioural and psychological symptoms such as depression, psychosis, aggression and wandering, which cause problems in themselves, which complicate care, and which can occur at any stage of the illness.” There are currently 115,400

people over the age of 65 within Leicestershire County and Rutland and 35,600 in Leicester City. This is predicted to rise to 224,200 by 2025, an increase of 48%. The increase in the elderly population is much greater in Leicestershire County and Rutland than it is in Leicester City. Although the Dementia Registers in LLR show an increase in the prevalence of dementia over time, 60% of people living with dementia in Leicestershire and Rutland remain undiagnosed. Evidence suggests that early diagnosis and treatment can improve the quality of life for people with dementia and increase their independence as the condition progresses. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure that any identified care and support plan is based on individual need and can facilitate choice and control. However, often people are unknown to health or social care with services only being provided in response to a crisis. Locally there are a range of health and social care services that can be accessed by people with dementia. These include:

Personalised Social Care Services (increasingly via personal budgets); Day Services; Home Care Services; Assistive Technology; Extra Care Housing;

•

••••

Advice and Information; Advocacy; Deprivation of Liberty Services; GP Services; Community Mental Health Teams for Older People; Memory Assessment Service; Intensiv e Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS); Intermediate Care; Reablement Services; Hospital in Patient Facilities; General Hospital Care; Carer Support Services; Residential and Nursing Care Homes.

The contribution of carers in supporting vulnerable people has been acknowledged in the National Carers Strategy. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the valuable role families/carers play in supporting people with dementia and to ensure that they themselves have adequate support to continue to undertake their caring role. The direct cost to health and

social care services in LLR for people over the age of 65 years with mental health difficulties (predominantly with dementia) equates to approximately £67 million per year, which tends to be spent on people with more complex care needs. This is in addition to the informal care and residential/nursing care costs currently borne by families and carers. Furthermore older people are more likely to experience delayed discharge from hospitals. Where delayed discharge is a problem, around half of those affected are people with dementia. The Department of Health estimates that annually, delayed discharges from all causes cost the local NHS for LLR £3 million and account for 34,000 lost bed days. Development of the

Strategy includes a number of recommendations being taken forward by the Directors of Adult Social Services within LLR and the Chief Executives for NHS Leicester and NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland who commissioned the LLR Joint Dementia Commissioning Strategy. The writing of the strategy was undertaken by the Dementia Joint Commissioning Group (DJCG) which includes representatives from all commissioning organisations in LLR. To develop the strategy the recommendations from planning workshops and the 17 key objectives of the NDS were grouped into four strategic themes against which 23 detailed strategic

•••••

••

••••••

objectives are mapped: Increased awareness, early diagnosis and access to care and support services; Improved experience of general hospital care and the management of physical health needs of people living with dementia; Improved quality of care in residential/nursing homes; Personalisation of care and living well with dementia in the community.

Given the projected increase in demand for dementia services, the County Council will need to consider how it will work with partners to invest in a range of new and expanded services. The transfer of NHS funding to social care as part of the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 local government finance settlement will provide opportunities to enable some investment in the Strategy priorities. Delivery of the strategy will be developed in partnership with NHS commissioners. The Department of Health has recently allocated an additional £165,500 for memory services in to LLR which will assist in developing the service.The key emphasis of the strategy

will be on the central role of (GPs) primary care in dementia care, and the interface between primary care and other parts of the health pathway, such as how shared care protocols will be developed between primary care and specialist services. It is recognised that not all people with dementia want a formal diagnosis however they will still need information and advice including how to access community based support and how to re-engage with services if their choices or circumstances change.

Elderly people living independentlyWe welcome the recent

announcement by the housing Minister Grant Shapps who has launched a new deal to help older people to continue living comfortably in their own homes - with particular support for those leaving hospital. With nearly one in five of the whole population expected to be aged 65 or over by 2020, Ministers are determined to ensure elderly, vulnerable people get the help they need to live independent lives, and can be safe in the knowledge that they won’t

•

•

•

•get ripped off by dodgy dealers and fraudsters. So Mr Shapps has given £51

million (approx £0.6 Leics) towards Home Improvement Agencies, who will provide help and advice including: housing advice, including help to move to more suitable accommodation if needed, handyperson services, including small home repairs, home safety and security adaptations energy efficiency advice; and arranging for adaptations and home repairs to be made, including grab rails, stair-lifts and major work such as ground floor extensions. These agencies also offer hospital discharge services - ensuring older people leaving hospital care are given the support they need to be able to recuperate in the comfort of their own homes. For those needing adaptations to their homes, Grant Shapps has also confirmed an additional £20 million (approx £0.2 Leics) for Disabled Facilities Grants - bringing the total to £200 million this year alone.He has also announced £1.5

million funding for FirstStop, which provides independent advice to older people looking to plan their future housing needs - whether in their own homes, or in care homes. This is in addition to work already underway to look at new and innovative ways in which elderly people can fund their future care needs without having to resort to selling their property. And to plan for the needs of older households in the future, Mr Shapps has announced plans for councils to consider the needs of their ageing residents in their local housing plans, by planning the numbers of new homes built to ensure they include features that meet the needs of older people, such as wider doors for wheelchairs and walk-in showers. The Department of Health has also allocated locally a further one off additional £1.6 million transfer money form health to social care services. This extra funding will assist in keeping people out of hospital during the winter period and provide effective ongoing support for people in their own homes.

Living well with Dementia

26

I was going to write my will today, but then I thought, life’s too short.

Find 12 Coronation Street characters in the Wordsearch puzzle below, and you could win yourself a nice prize.

This month we are offering a FIRST PRIzE of: A MAIN COURSE FOR TWO PLUS A BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE

AT THE FIELD HEAD HOTEL

To go into the draw, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - 12 80s Pop Groups. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally

(and backwards!).

Send your entry to: WEATHERFIELD FOLK, The Herald, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9zT to arrive by WEDNESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY

2012. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s Balaclava will win the Meal for Two at The Field Head

Hotel. Good luck!

Here are the 12 COrONATION STrEET

CHArACTErS you have to find:

ANNA WINDASS • CHESNEY BROWN • DENNIS TANNER

EILEEN GRIMSHAW • FRANK FOSTER • IZZY ARMSTRONG

KIRK SUTHERLAND • NICK TILSLEY • PETER BARLOW

ROSIE WEBSTER • STELLA PRICE • SUNITA ALAHAN

Name: ...................................................................................................

Address: ................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

.............................................. Postcode: ................................................

CORO’ WORDSEARCH

Last issue’s Wordsearch winner!The first correct entry drawn out of the hat last month came from:

Mrs Marian wright of Poplar Avenue, Markfield. Congratulations! Your Meal & Wine Voucher to spend at the Field Head

Hotel will be sent to you in the next 21 days. The winner of the second prize - two cinema tickets - was

Mrs A Phillips of Bradgate road, Markfield.Congratulations! Your tickets will be with you soon.

There’s still time ... just!

Help shape countryside and urban access PEOPLE who enjoy walking and riding in the countryside, or are interested in exploring their neighbourhoods, are invited to apply to join the Leicestershire Local Access Forum. The forum is an independent official body that brings together the

diverse views of land owners, farmers, ramblers, horse-riders, cyclists, conservationists and other groups. Focusing on how people can make the most of the great outdoors, Access

Forums were set-up by government to represent all the different fields or areas of interest concerned with public rights of way and countryside access. roy denney, Chairman of the forum, said: “The forum works alongside

and advises Leicestershire County Council, and other local authorities and public agencies. “It helps watch over - and shape the future of – open access land and

public footpaths, bridleways, byways, and cycle trails. Anyone who has the time available and who can contribute positively is invited to apply.” Forum members are unpaid volunteers who meet four times a year to

debate topical rural and urban access issues, discuss policy and planning proposals, and raise matters of concern. Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment

and Transport, said: “The County Council values forum members’ commitment and contribution. “The forum means all those with an interest in public access to the

countryside can come together and better understand each other’s views.” For a membership pack see the web at www.leics.gov.uk/lafapply or

email accessforum@leics.gov.uk or phone 0116 305 7655 for more details. The closing date for the current round of applications is January 16, 2012.

G N O R T S M R A Y Z Z I K N S D E N N I S T A N N E R I W A T R Y A M R I H P H P I R E I H E V E C N R V V A K I K O I I A L G L T V N E K M X S Y N L H L L S S Y S W A R G U K W N E R A A K L P E B L W T I O L Z E F A P W I T R O E H I R T M J N Y T R F T M R N E W B N L H X G Z I I T K K U R B Y E R D N F R V N C K C G L I E Q P I B A Y I Z U E G I A H N Z X W R S I S M J S Z X N B S E W N O W L O C S G A N D N E J V E V Z S O W R H L M T S H X Q R E T S O F K N A R F C C P E T E R B A R L O W W S C R

ANNAWINDASSCHESNEYBROWNDENNISTANNEREILEENGRIMSHAWFRANKFOSTERIZZYARMSTRONGKIRKSUTHERLANDNICKTILSLEYPETERBARLOWROSIEWEBSTERSTELLAPRICESUNITAALAHAN

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

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08/01/2012http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp

27

I once tried to hang myself with a clip-on tie. Broke both my legs.

07957 282677

QualityHandmade Ironwork

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01530-243804Made to order to your

individual design

FAST PASSDRIVING SCHOOL

WHATEVER YOUR DRIVING REQUIREMENTSWE HAVE A COURSE FOR YOU

FIRST 90 MINUTE ASSESSMENT £20NEW STARTERSNERVOUS OR MATURE DRIVERSINTENSIVE COURSES

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On how to survive a residential conferenceThe rectorySt. James the Least

My dear Nephew darrenI AM gLAd you enjoyed your conference, but please do not be deluded into thinking that conferences are there to teach you anything. Conferences exist to provide another entry on your Cv, to give you time off while flattering yourself that you are working, and to make the person leading it feel that their life is not wholly pointless.As it happened, I was also invited to the same one, the one entitled ‘Learning how to say ‘no’’. But I refused to attend, thereby proving that I didn’t need it anyway.There are certain useful points you need to learn for conferences. First, about half the attendees will have been together only the previous week attending another conference in another part of the country. They will be eager, enthusiastic and overflowing with management platitudes. Avoid them at all costs. Should one of them say to you: ‘expect the unexpected’ you have my permission to strangle them. They won’t have expected that!Secondly, when you are all asked to go through that ghastly process of introducing yourselves to everyone else, make it up. I think the last time I was obliged to do this, I became a butcher specialising in exporting offal to Saudi Arabia. All your clerical colleagues will then panic that they have turned up for the wrong course and the leader will make sure that you are not asked another single question throughout the event. Both outcomes are satisfying.Thirdly, do realise that when you are asked to divide into small discussion groups, it means that the conference leader has run out of ideas about what to do next. Do not, at all costs, volunteer to be chairman. It only means that when you have to report back – and if the leaders use the word ‘plenary’, then by all means contemplate strangling them also - you will be involved in sticking sheets of paper on to walls, which will then rip off the wallpaper when you try to remove them.You will also have the embarrassment of finding that every felt tip pen you try to use will be empty, and what you thought were the conclusions your group had arrived at will be volubly contradicted by all the other members.No, if you are ever obliged to attend another course, take a good book, enough claret to cover every evening away, and develop a debilitating illness that, while enabling you to attend every meal, obliges you to retreat to your room for the rest of the day. You will leave having learned as much on whatever the topic was as your colleagues, but will return refreshed and eager to make the next booking.Your loving uncle,

Eustace

28

I’ve just been on a crash diet. I drove my car into a tree and spent a month on a drip.

Local Church Service InformationWithout Walls Christian Fellowship, 135 Main St Stanton Under BardonSunday 15th January Meeting at 10am with Junior church

Sunday 22nd January 10am with Junior church

Sunday 29th January 10am Family meeting with children involved

Sunday Feb 5th Meeting at 10am Junior church provided

Sunday Feb 12th Meeting at 10am with guest speaker Junior church provided

Sunday Feb 19th Meeting at 10am with another guest speaker Junior church provided

Sunday Feb 26th Family meeting at 9.30am with kids involved and breakfast provided

Markfield Congregational ChurchSunday 15th January 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield United Service in St Michael’s Parish Church.

Sunday 22 Jan 10.15 am Morning Worship

Sunday 29 Jan 10.15 am Worship with Sunday Club in Church Hall

Sunday 5 Feb 10.15 am Morning Worship

Sunday 12 Feb 10.15 am Morning Worship followed by Communion

Cross Hills Baptist Church, between Bagworth & ThorntonSunday 15th January 10.30am Morning Service with Stewart Johnson of Wycliffe Bible Translators

Sunday 22nd January 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 29th January 10.30am Morning Service

Sunday 5th February 10.30am Morning Service

5.00pm United Praise Service

Sunday 12th February 10.30am Morning Service with The Lord’s Supper

Sunday 19th February 10.30am Morning Service

There is a Sunday Club in our hall for children & young people during the Morning Service. For further details, our contact list is in the Cross Hills News section in this magazine.

Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield Sunday 15th January 10.30am United Service at St Michael’s Parish Church 6.00pm Evening Service

Sunday 22nd January 10.30am Morning Communion Service 6.00pm Taizé Style Service

Sunday 29th January 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

Sunday 5th February 10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Evening Service

Sunday 12th February 10.30am Morning Communion Service 4.00pm Café Church Worship

Sunday 19th February 10.30am United Service at Methodist Church 6.00pm Evening Communion Service

1st Sunday in Lent 26th February10.30am Morning Service 6.00pm Taizé Style Service

St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Markfield10:15-11.30am Sunday Club for Children in the Congregational Hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays, term time All Age Service in Church on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 15th January 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service 6.00pm Evening Prayer

Friday 20th January 8.00 pm Taizé Style Service

Sunday 22nd January

8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 29th January 6.00 pm Joint Evening Service at St Peter’s, Copt Oak

Sunday 5th February 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 12th February 10.30 am All Age Service 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Friday 17th February 8.00 pm Taizé Style Service

Sunday 19th February 10.30 am Churches Together in Markfield Service at Trinity Methodist Church 6.00pm Evening Prayer

Wednesday 22nd February 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday Communion

Sunday 26th February 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Open Church 6.00pm Evening Prayer

St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Stanton under BardonSunday 15th January 10.30 am “Something Different”

Sunday 22nd January 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 29th January 10.30 am Single Service at St Peter’s, Thornton

Sunday 5th February 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 12th February 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 19th February 10.30 am “Something Different”

Sunday 26th February 10.30 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, ThorntonSunday 15th January 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 22nd January 10.30 am Family Service

Sunday 29th January 10.30 am Single Service at St Peter’s, Thornton

Sunday 5th February 10.30 am Morning Service

Sunday 12th February 10.30 am Holy Communion

Sunday 19th February 9.00 am Holy Communion

Sunday 26th February 10.30 am Family Service

Holy Rood Church, BagworthPlease note: Services will be at Bagworth Community Centre

Sunday 5th February 9.00 am Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, Copt OakSunday 15th January 3.00 pm Praise Service

Sunday 22nd January 6.00 pm Holy Communion

Sunday 29th January 6.00 pm Joint Service (with St Michael’s, Markfield)

Sunday 5th February 6.00 pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 12th February 9.15 am Holy Communion

Sunday 19th February 3.00 pm Praise Service

Sunday 26th February 6.00 pm Holy Communion

ANSTEY & DISTRICT FUNERAL SERVICES

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORTAs pArt of our aftercare service, we now offer a monthly Bereavement Aftercare & support Group, which has been set up to provide a FrEE support service, not just to our clients, but to ANY bereaved person, irrespective of their age, creed, religion and length of bereavement.

the group meets on the 3rd saturday of every month in the catering suite at Anstey & District Funeral services between 10am and 12 noon.

Next dates: 21st January & 18th FebruaryARRAN BRUDENELL, Tel: 0116 234 0548

ThankYouDear HeraldI would like to thank everyone from the Markfield Whist for the lovely flowers and fruit they sent me.

Jenny ‘B’Markfield

29

My girlfriend’s covered from head to toe in grass. Her name’s Lorna.

Herald Film Reviewfrom Tom Flowitt

Look What’s On At The Palace, IBSTOCk

57 High Street, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6LH • Tel: 01530 267303

~ Forthcoming Events ~Friday 20th January - Film Night –‘Larry Crowne’ (PG13) After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college. He becomes part of a colourful community of outcasts, also-rans and the overlooked all trying to find a better future for themselves. Directed by Tom Hanks. Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Sarah Mahoney. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Friday 27th January – The Northumberland Theatre Company presents ‘Hansel and Gretel’ retold with glee by Mike Kenny, (in conjunction with ‘Centre Stage’; the rural theatre touring scheme). This is a new telling of an old tale. Though it’s as old as the hills the story of Hansel and Gretel comes up shiny and new for our consumerist times. Come and see them fall out of the frying pan and then climb out of the fire. Gothic, funny, scary and exciting! Come and eat yourself silly and laugh yourself daft. Performance begins at 7.30pm. Tickets: £8.00, concessions £6.00 Combination ticket (1 Adult & 2 children) £16.00 From Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Sunday, 29th January - The Palace Indoor Car Boot Sale - Calling all bargain hunters! Doors open at 9.00am ‘til 2.00pm. For more details, or to book a stall contact, Maureen on Tel: 01530 452028.

Friday, 3rd February – Archive Film Night (As part of The Palace Centenary celebrations) - A special evening of rare local rural and urban film footage shot throughout Leicestershire. The show will feature a variety of professionally made films from as early as 1920 up to the mid 70s. Each film will be

introduced by Leicestershire’s centre screen coordinator Pete Groschl. See what the people and our local landscape looked like throughout the last century. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460

Tuesday, 7th February - FREE health checks at a ‘Well Families Clinic’ in Ibstock between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.The event has been organised by North West Leicestershire District Council to help people make positive changes to their lives and includes free cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index screenings. As well as the free health screenings, these successful clinics offer a range of health and well-being advice including information on how to stop smoking, mental health issues, diet and nutrition, benefit advice, activities in the district, and much more. There are fun exercise challenges for all ages and free healthy snacks and fruit juices to try during the afternoon. Further details please contact Julie Summerton on 01530 454541 or email Julie.summerton@nwleicestershire.gov.uk.

Friday, 17th February - Film Night – ‘One Day’ (12A). Based on David Nicholls’s hugely loved bestseller. After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation, Dexter and Em are shown each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day. Doors, Box Office and Licensed Bar open at 7.00pm. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00/£3.00 from Halls, High Street, Ibstock, Tel: 01530 260460.

Sherlock Holmes: A game of Shadows (12A)Starring: Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law128 Minutes

FOr THOSE who didn’t see the first instalment, don’t expect to see the same Sherlock that is gracing the BBC at the moment. guy ritchie’s interpretation takes the creation of Arthur Conan doyle and turns it up to 11.The sequel is our chance to see Holmes go up against his arch nemesis

Professor Moriarty for the first time. The film is played out against the backdrop of bombings and assassinations

that are ripping through France and Germany. While Holmes and Moriarty trade blows, both intellectual and physical, the fate of Europe hangs in the balance.Much like the first film, Ritchie creates an excellent balance of action and

comedy. The mixture of slow motion and real time in the action scenes will have you on the edge of your seat wanting for more. Unfortunately however we don’t see enough of Holmes’s powers of deduction, one of the main draws of the character.The story here is weaker than the first as it tries to be too clever,

intertwining as many plotlines as it can which often feels pointless. It also has the feeling towards the end that this will be the first of many duels between Holmes and Moriarty but whether this is realised in a third instalment, I’m not so sure.Once again the partnership of Holmes (Downey Jr) and Watson (Law)

works perfectly, as does the introduction of new characters Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry) and Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). Harris is a formidable match for Downey’s Holmes but it is Fry, as

his brother Mycroft, that proves a worthier and funnier opponent. Unfortunately this relationship isn’t explored enough as the character only really plays a bit part.With all these strong characters fighting for screen time the person who

suffers most is Noomi Rapace. Rapace is simply unable to shine as brightly as Downey Jr and Law and is often pushed into the background. Her performance is a far cry from her excellent turn in the original Girl with a Dragon Tattoo.Overall: Sequels are always hard to pull off but this is at least as good as

the first which makes it very good indeed.

HHHHI

30

I didn’t have a happy upbringing. I remember my third birthday party. I was fifteen.

The Bulls Head Forest Road, Markfield T: 01530 242541 Sat 28th Jan: GEE ‘N’ US Sat 25th Feb: JOHN STACEY Garden & Pub Games etc.

The Queen’s Head Ashby Road, Markfield. T: 01530 242 496 ALL SKY SPORTS & ESPN

The Bricklayers Arms 213 Main Street Thornton T: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite: Thursdays www.bricklayersarms.net (See Advert on page 32)

The Club, Thornton Main Street. T: 01530 230251 Open to Non-Members Sat 14th Jan: THE ZUFFLERS Sat 28th Jan: DON’T TELL SALLY Fri 10th Feb: A FIST FULL OF FUNK Sat 11th Feb: THE CABSTARS Sat 18th Feb: Charity Evening With THE UPBEATLES To Raise Money For Thornton Church For More Info Telephone Diane 01530 230123 Or Karen 01530 230631 Sat 25th Feb: THE FREEZE ALL SKY SPORTS AND ESPN www.myspace.com/thorntonclub

Bagworth Working Men’s Club, Station Road, Bagworth. Tel. 01530 230205 New members welcome. Live entertainment – last Saturday of the month (To be arranged) Last Friday of the month – Andy’s Charity Quiz £1.50 each Sequence dances Sunday Nights. £1.00 admission 8 o’clock. Tea Dance Wednesday afternoon 2 – 4 pm. £1 admission. On 14th January 2012 - a Social Dance - £1 on the door. For further details, tel: 01530 230205

The Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield Tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 13th Jan: TAKE THAT Fri 27th Jan: 70’s CAR WASH Fri 10th Feb: LIONEL RITCHIE Fri 24th Feb: CHER Quiz Nite: 2nd Tues of Month (See Advert on page 26)

The Coach & Horses Leicester Road, Field Head Tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:- Sat 28th January (’King of the Road’) (See Advert Page 4)

Library NewsLove your Heart in JanuaryStart the New Year with a zip in your stride! ‘Healthy Hearts’ at Earl Shilton Library will be held on Thursday 19th January, 10.00am – 12.00noon so why not come along and find out how to look after yourself and your heart.Experts will be on hand to test your blood pressure and carbon monoxide

levels whilst Sandra Baxter, of AgeUK, will offer expert dietary advice. There will also be a representative from Art in Earl Shilton to help you create either a pastel landscape or learn how to make a picture using recycled envelopes – a great way to use up all those you’ll receive during Christmas!This event is free and open to all, but booking is advisable.Tickets available form Earl Shilton Library Tel: 0116 3058392mailto:earlshiltonlibrary@leics.gov.uk

Stargazing Live is back at Newbold Verdon Library!Following the astronomic success of last year’s ‘Stargazing Live’ it’s back on the BBC between 16th and 18th of January with Professor Brian Cox and his team and guess what… Stargazing Live is coming back to Newbold verdon Library too!Josh Barker, an up and coming astronomer from Leicester Space Centre,

will be at Newbold Verdon Library on Tuesday January 24th at 7.15pm to tell us about the wonders of the winter night sky. The Newbold Verdon Stargazing Group will then assist him in the quest to see the stars. The Friends of the library will be on hand with delicious hot chocolate and cookies too.So come along for hot chocolate, cookies and stargazing.Remember to wrap up warm!Adults £1.50. Children Free.To book your tickets please pop in, phone the library on 0116 305 3661 or

email: newboldverdonlibrary@leics.gov.ukEarly booking advisable for this popular event.

Wriggly Readers in your librarywriggly reader sessions are a friendly and informal way of introducing your toddler to the library and give families the opportunity to meet and make new friends. The sessions are aimed at 0-4 year olds and their parents/carers and run for 30 minutes.Wriggly Readers is completely FREE and there is no need to pre-book, so

why not just come along to the next session? Times for your library are as follows:

groby Library: Third Thursday of the month, 10.30-11amMarkfield: First Thursday of the month, 2.15-2.45pmratby: Fourth Thursday of the month, 2-2.30pmdesford: First Thursday of the month, 10-10.30amNewbold verdon: Second & Fourth Tuesday of the month, 10.30-11amMarket Bosworth: First Friday of the month, 10.30-11amEarl Shilton: Every Wednesday, 10-10.30 & 11-11.30am (same session repeated)Barwell: Second Thursday of the month, 10.30-11am

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31

I don’t like my hands. I always keep them at arms length.

CharnwoodProperty

Property refurbishment & maintenancesingle rooms to whole house projects

Stylish bathrooms, kitchensand garage conversions

General buildingElectricalPlumbingTilingPlasteringCarpentryLandscapingFencing

Tel: 01530 243922 Mob: 07917645382email: charnwoodproperty@btinternet.com

www.charnwood-property-improvements.co.uk

235, Leicester Road, Mark�eld

Before After

Thanks for reading this issue. See you again next month!

Enjoy a Meal at The Bricklayer’s Arms ...Home Made Dishes in a Traditional Country Pub

Now Even Better Value!

OPENiNg TiMEs – Monday 6pm-late / Tuesday to Thursday 12pm-3pm & 6pm-late / Friday to Sunday 12pm -lateFOOD TiMEs – Tuesday to Saturday 12pm-2pm & 6pm-8.30pm / Sunday 12pm-4pm

20% Off Your Food BillPRE-BOOKiNg is REQUiRED. OFFER VALiD TUEsDAY - FRiDAY ONLY UNTiL FEBRUARY 29TH 2012.

Offer excluded on Valentine’s Day: Tuesday 14th February 2011. Offer excludes alcohol, spirits and minerals. Licensee reserves the right to refuse offer. Hand in this voucher to redeem offer. Photocopies will not be accepted.

The Bricklayer’s Arms Special Winter Offer!

The Bricklayer’s Arms Main Street, Thornton, Leics., LE67 1AH

Telephone: 01530 230808

ThE BRickLAyER’s ARms, a traditional country village pub and restaurant invites you to its coal fires providing a warm

and welcoming atmosphere. With our very own pathway to Thornton reservoir, a dedicated

children’s play area, the pub is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of homemade dishes with the family.

As the licensees at the Bricklayer’s Arms, we understand how tough times are at the beginning of the year, so to kick start 2012

with a bang we would both like to offer all diners 20% off their food bill.

If you fancy something different, why not dine with us on the following nights:

Tuesday Pie NightEnjoy a choice of Jan’s homemade pies, served with potatoes and locally

sourced seasonal vegetables, for only £5.95

Wednesday steak Night two freshly cut steaks sourced from Briers Butchers, hand cut chips,

garden peas, grilled tomato and mushroom with a glass of wine for only £18.95

Thursday A La carte menu treat yourself to something special, with various dishes to choose from,

which are cooked to perfection.

Thursday Night is Quiz NightWe also host a weekly General Knowledge Quiz every thursday at 9pm, so if you fancy trying your luck and winning a bottle of wine, then why not give it a try and enter for free. If you don’t fancy a quiz, then why not enter

our raffle and try your luck at winning £100.

sunday LunchWe offer a choice of locally sourced roast meats & hand selected fresh

seasonal vegetables served with traditional trimmings

A Drinks selection to suit all tastes At the Bricklayer’s Arms, we have a great range of cask conditioned ales, fine wines and premium spirits. Enjoy Everards award winning ales along

with our guest ales. We look forward to welcoming you to a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Best Wishes

Ben & Jan