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http://www.diseworth.org50p

DECEMBER 2005/JANUARY 2006DOUBLE ISSUE

No 112

Delivered free to householdsin Diseworth

The Diseworth DialogueCOMMITTEEChairman Jim Snee 812345Editor Sue Brompton 850592Treasurer Christine Agar 850181Vice Chair Liz Jarrom810358Asst Editor Carly Snee812345Committee Sue Bird, Denise Blenkinsopp, Janet Coulson, Jan Firth, Linda Gaymer,Nikki Hening, Judy Keane, Sandie Moores, Ruth SmithDelivery Team Sue Bird, Norma Chapman, Janet Coulson, Nancy Cowley, Julie Doyle,Rosalyn Edwards, Jan Firth, Linda Gaymer, Sue Hill, Jayne Moore, SandieMoores, Pauline Needham, Rosie Smith

Details of our committee meetings can be found in the diary section of the magazine.We extend an open invitation to members of the village to come to our meetings.

CONTRIBUTIONSPlease let us have your items for publication (this includes advertising) by the 7th of the monthfor the following month’s issue. Remember that we produce 2 double issues (July/August andDecember/ January). All contributions will be considered for publication. They can bedelivered to any committee member or emailed to admin@airnig.co.uk and tosue@cbrompton.fsnet.co.uk or via our village web site at http://www.diseworth.orgContributions for our dispatches page are most welcome. Share your news with the village -birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, congratulations etc. When contributing, please includeyour name. We do need your name, but we won’t publish it if that’s your wish. If you’re achild, our readers appreciate seeing your age too!

ADVERTISINGAdvertisements in our Yellow Pages can be placed yearly or monthly according to your needs.Please contact Judy Keane, 01332 812863 for details.

DISCLAIMERAny views or opinions expressed within the pages of the Diseworth Dialogue are notnecessarily those of the Editorial Team or Committee. All advertisements are accepted in goodfaith.

OUR PRICING POLICYWe aim to be able to deliver one copy of the Diseworth Dialogue to each household inDiseworth. Our objective is to fund production through advertising, fund raising and voluntarycontributions. We aim to deliver a quality publication which enriches village life andencourages such voluntary contributions, these we invite annually. Additional copies areavailable for purchase at 50p. If you know somebody living outside the village who would liketo have a copy mailed on a subscription basis, please let us know. Mail subscription is £10 peryear, including postage.

Designed & produced by Ruth Smith, Telephone 01332 811538

Contents

FeaturesRegulars

Notices & Ads

Book Worms 43Church News 6/12Country Matters 13Diseworth Diary 4Dispatches 28/30Editor’s Letter 5Health Page 45History Society 38/39Letters to the Editor 14Millennium Meadow 43Parish Council 40Quiz 27Women’s Group 39

A Servant to TwoMasters 36/37

Diseworth Weddings2005 23/24

Parish Directory 42Parish Plan 41Poem - It’s Christmas 18Quorn Hedgecutting 17Recipe - Mulled Wine Cake 44Review of the Year 22/26Tag Rugby 46Village Hall News 20/21War Time Story 32/35What Makes us Tick 31

Boxing Day Fun Run 16Christmas Greetings 19Jackie’s Memorial Kitchen Opening 20Retired Residents Christmas Lunch 15

Diseworth DiaryDECEMBER

Friday 2nd Diseworth Heritage Trust. Cheese & Wine. Village Hall7.30pm. £10

Sunday 4th Official Opening of Jackie’s Memorial Kitchen. 7.00pm.Village Hall

Monday 5th Women’s Discussion Group. 26b Clements Gate.2pm.“Chip & Pinpoint”

Thursday 8th Retired Residents Christmas lunch. 1pm Village HallSunday 11th Christingle Service. 4pm. In ChurchMonday 12th Women’s Group. Christmas Meal. Golden Dragon ShardlowThursday 15th “Little Angels”. 10am – 11am. Service in ChurchSunday 18th 9 Lessons & Carols. 6.15pm. In ChurchTuesday 20th Christmas Concert in Church with Hathern “B” Band. 7.30pmSaturday 24th Crib Service. 4pm. In ChurchMonday 26th Annual Boxing Day Fun Run. 11.00am Meet at The Cross

JANUARY 2006

Thursday 5th Social & Fund Raising Committee. Wartoft Grange. 7,30pmMonday 9th Women’s Discussion Group. “For Everything there is a

Season” 7a Lady Gate. 2pmTuesday 17th Book Worms. 26a Clements Gate. 2pm.”Small Island” &

“Time Traveller’s Wife”Thursday 19th “Little Angels”. 10am – 11am. Service in ChurchWednesday 25th Praise Service. Hathern Parish Church. 7.30pmMonday 30th PCC Meeting . In Church. 7.00pm

FEBRUARY

Wednesday 8th PCC Meeting. Village Hall. 7.30pmTuesday 21st Book Worms. Film afternoon. Venue t.b.aFriday 24th Games & Supper Evening. Village Hall

JUNE

Saturday 17th Scarecrow Festival & Open Gardens& Sunday 18th

A Letter From The EditorWelcome to the Christmas & New Year double issue of theDialogue.

There have been many weddings in the parish this year and weare delighted to be able to feature them all in the centre pages of the magazine. Weare also including a selection of photographs of events from the past year inDiseworth. There have been numerous things to celebrate including the 10th birthdayof the Dialogue in April, when we met up with members past and present for awonderful party in the village hall; we were also excited and delighted to see ourmagazine featured on BBC East Midlands Today.

The splendid concerts in Jackie’s memory have raised a phenomenal sum and at thetime of writing, work is taking place in the village hall to refurbish ‘Jackie’s Kitchen’.The hall is the venue for countless village events & meetings so it is interesting toread Dave Adcock’s comments on the need to attract new members. It is usually acore group of people who are the mainstay of most village organisations but theyreally do welcome new people. I know that I was once very reluctant to joincommittees, particularly if I did not know people but found, as you will, that they areall approachable and welcoming. See Dave’s report on pages 20 & 21.

The village hall has also been the venue this year for two productions by theDiseworth based Charnwood Community Theatre: ‘Abigail’s Party’ in March and ‘AServant to Two Masters in October. Both plays were wonderfully entertaining and thegroup really do deserve the award they received from the Leics. Leicester & RutlandCommunity Foundation earlier this year. I have made a diary note to reserve seatsfor their next production as I am expecting a rush for tickets – yes they really are thatgood!

Diseworth said a fond farewell to Dave Honeybun in June when he retired as villagepostman but welcomed in his place Kevin. We are also about to say goodbye toMargaret Ellis who has provided valuable Post Office facilities at the village hall forthe past two years. We offer her our sincere thanks and wish Margaret and Oliverevery success for the future.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to all our readers, contributors and the entireDialogue team for their support, hard work and enthusiasm in the past year. I wishyou all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful,healthy and prosperous New Year!

St Michael and All AngelsParish Church

Dear Friends

A bright, gleaming jewel adorning the most slender and beautiful of necks -aprecious diamond. Or is it? All that glints and attracts attention is not necessarily adiamond. It may be a zircon - it looks the part, but isn’t. It’s only when you scratchthe surface that little signs of its true nature appear. The trouble is of course thateven the real owner may have forgotten which is for real and which is a fake.

So - which is the real Christmas and which is the fake? Judging from the cards,robins and snowmen play a large part; from the shopping centres a large amount ofmoney that people can’t afford spent on presents their family and friends don’t reallywant; from the cash tills, large amounts of food and drink are essential. Even inchurch the Holy Family, shepherds, wisemen and animals living happily ever after ina well scrubbed crib can be the order of the day.

But scratch the surface of all these and what’s left? The real event, God come inhuman flesh to Palestine, has all too little a look in. God in love come down to sharein frail and broken humanity remains the most extraordinary and earth-shatteringevent.

Get beyond the surface of this and you find no fake, but greater and greater depthsof love, integrity, wholeness and truth. Here is a real diamond, a real jewel - whichoutshines and outlasts all else. The question is: Can you tell the difference? Do youknow which is the real Christmas?

Have a very joyful celebration of Christ’s birthAlison

St Michael and All AngelsParish Church

TEAM RECTORRevd. Nigel Tuffnell The Rectory, 24 Nottingham Road,

Kegworth, Derby, DE74 2FHemail envadvisor@yahoo.co.uk 01509 673146

TEAM VICARRevd. Alison Prince The Rectory, Belton 01530 223447

READERSMrs Celia Harris 01509 844141Mrs Nadine Hawkins 01509 646957Mrs Audrey Hunt 01509 646478Mrs Marian Bennett 01509 263601CHURCHWARDENMr David Bird 01332 810381ASSISTANT WARDENSMiss Rosalyn Edwards 01509 844052Mrs Muriel Howe 01332 850338

St Michael & All Angels Church

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

With Hathern ‘B’ BandTuesday, 20th December at 7.30pm

Come along and listen to some festive music and join insinging Christmas carols

Tickets £5 inc. a glass of wine and mince piesavailable from all PCC members or on the door

St Michael and All Angels Parish ChurchServices and Locations for December 2005

Time Service LocationsDecember 1st 9.00am School Assembly DiseworthDecember 4th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Hathern & Kegworth

10.30am CW Holy Communion BeltonFamily Service Hathern & KegworthAll Age Worship Long Whatton C. Ctre

6.15pm BCP Evensong Long Whatton,Belton & Kegworth

December 11th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Belton & Kegworth10.30am CW Holy Communion Hathern & Kegworth4.00pm Christingle Service Diseworth7.30pm Beltones Concert Belton

December 16th 1.15pm School Christmas Carols DiseworthDecember 18th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Kegworth

10.30am CW Holy Communion DiseworthFamily Service Belton & Kegworth

6.15pm Nine Lessons & Carols DiseworthDecember 24th 4.00pm Crib Service DiseworthChristmas 10.00pm CW Holy Communion L Whatton & BeltonEve 11.30pm CW Holy Communion Hathern & KegworthDecember 25th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion KegworthChristmas 9.00am CW Holy Communion OsgathorpeDay 10.30am CW Holy Communion Diseworth

Services & Locations for January 2006Time Service Location

January 1st 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Hathern & Kegworth10.30am CW Holy Communion Belton

Family Service KegworthAll Age Worship Long Whatton C. Ctre

6.15pm Cantata “Bethlehem” withSutton Bonington United Choir Kegworth

January 6th 7.30pm CW Holy Communion (Friday) for Epiphany KegworthJanuary 8th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Belton & Kegworth

10.30am Family Service Diseworth & HathernCW Holy Communion Kegworth

6.15pm United Plough Service& Ploughman’s Supper Diseworth

January 15th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Kegworth9.00am CW Holy Communion Osgathorpe10.30am CW Holy Communion Long Whatton

Family Service Belton & Kegworth6.15pm BCP Evensong Belton & Kegworth

St Michael and All Angels Parish ChurchBCP Holy Communion Hathern

January 22nd 8.00am BCP Holy Communion L Whatton & Kegworth10.30am CW Holy Communion Hathern & Kegworth

Family Service Osgathorpe6.15pm BCP Evensong Belton, Hathern &

KegworthJanuary 25th 7.30pm Benefice Praise Service HathernJanuary 29th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Belton & Kegworth

10.30am CW Holy Communion Hathern & Kegworth6.15pm BCP Evensong Belton & Kegworth

BCP Holy Communion Osgathorpe

Week Day ServicesTime Service Location

Tuesday 12.30pm CW Holy Communion BeltonWednesday 9.30am BCP Holy Communion Kegworth

Lessons and Readers for December 2005 & January 2006Time Reader Sidesman

December 18th 1st Reading:Advent 4 2 Samuel 7.1-11,16 10.30am A Stone G Stone

2nd Reading:Romans 16.25-27 D CherryGospel: Luke 1.26-38

December 25th 1st Reading:Isaiah 62.6-12 10.30am S Brompton M Howe

Christmas 2nd Reading:Day Titus 3.4-7 M Gidlow

Gospel: Luke 2.(1-7)8-20

If you are unable to read on the date shown please arrange forsomeone else to do so.

The readings to be used are:8am BCP Holy Communion – New Testament & Gospel;10.30am CW Holy Communion – Old Testament, New Testament & Gospel;

6.15pm Evensong - Old Testament & Gospel.

Altar Flowers and Church BrassesFlowers Brasses

December 18th/25th Help from everyone would be appreciated!January 8th/15th Mrs B Barratt Mrs D GriffinJanuary 22nd/29th Mrs I Tebbutt Mrs R Smith

News From The Pews

Other Benefice Services, Meetings and Social Events in December & January

December3rd Saturday Hathern Church Coffee Morning 10am-12noon6th Tuesday Kegworth House Group 7.30pm

Diocese of Leicester Roadshow – “Shaped by God”Emmanuel Church, Loughborough 7.00pm

7th Wednesday Hathern House Group 7.30pm8th Thursday Hathern Church Christmas Tree Festival 2pm-8.00pm9th/10th Fri-Sat Hathern Church Christmas Tree Festival 10.00am-8.00pm10th Saturday Kegworth Church Coffee Morning 10am-12noon13th Tuesday Belton House Group 7.30pm15th Thursday Benefice Meditation Group, Kegworth Rectory 7.30pm19th Monday Benefice Bible Study at 33 Green Hill, Hathern 7.30pm20th Tuesday Kegworth House Group 7.30pm

January3rd Tuesday Kegworth House Group 7.30pm4th Wednesday Hathern House Group 7.30pm7th Saturday Hathern Church Coffee Morning 10am-12noon10th Tuesday Belton House Group 7.30pm11th Wednesday Benefice Meeting at Belton Green Memorial Hall 8.00pm14th Saturday Kegworth Church Coffee Morning 10.00am-12noon16th Monday Benefice Bible Study, 33 Green Hill, Hathern 7.30pm17th Tuesday Kegworth House Group 7.30pm19th Thursday Benefice Meditation Group, Kegworth Rectory 7.30pm25th Wednesday Benefice Praise Service Hathern Church 7.30pm31st Tuesday Benefice Alpha Style Supper, Hathern Church 7.30pm

Bell Ringing atDiseworth

Mondays 8pm

The Social and FundRaising Committee

will meet onThursday, 5th January

2006 at WartoftGrange at 7.30pm.

Celebrate 80There will be a big celebration on Saturday 3rd June2006 at Abbey Park. This is being organised byLeicester Diocese to celebrate 80 years since therestoration of the Diocese. There will be special eventsfor young people and children, displays, exhibitions,creative and sportive activities, refreshments and muchelse. The highlight of the day will be a communionservice with the Archbishop of Canterbury. We arelooking for people in each of the churches who will be80 years old in 2006 and especially anybody whose 80thfalls on the 3rd June. Please let Alison or Nigel knownames and address.

News From The PewsThe PCC will meet onMonday, 30th January 2006 inchurch at 7.00pm.

Benefice Praise Service moves to HathernParish Church

Following its inaugural 6 month run at DiseworthChurch, for its second 6 months, commencing inJanuary, the benefice praise service is moving to

Hathern ChurchTo launch it in style in its new venue,

the Praise Service will include a cheese & winesnack supper

On Wednesday 25th January at 7.30 pm.

The intention of the benefice praise service is toenjoy ourselves by singing our thanks and praise

for all the blessings we’ve received throughout thelast year, accompanied by a music group playing

and singing popular “songs of praise.”

There will be no charge for this event, but if youfeel you’ve had a good time and you’ve enjoyed

the supper, then no-one will stop you from makinga contribution to help with the cost.

For this purpose there will be a plate at the door.

Even if you don’t sing very well but you would liketo take this opportunity to show your appreciation

for your blessings, please just come along andhum or listen, and stay to enjoy the supper.

We do hope that all the people who enjoyed thepraise service at Diseworth will continue to

support it during its stay at Hathern.

CD’sIf anyone has any old

unwanted CD’s, pleasecould you let Alison havethese via church during

the first week ofDecember.

New Hymn BooksWe are still collecting donations of£6 towards our new hymn books.Forms are available for completionin church, or contact RosalynEdwards on 01509-844052.

Original Belton Bears CalendarsPlease support these local charities by buying yourChristmas calendar from Belton and an extra one

to give as an unusual present.Available through the churches or via Alison on 01530 223447

Hathern ChurchChristmas Festival

Due to last year’s success,this will be running againthis year. The dates areThursday 8th - Saturday10th December. Comealong with a group offriends to get the festiveseason off to a good start.For more details contactCelia Harris (01509844141) or RosemaryWorsfold (01509 842585)

Catholic Church of the Risen Lord.Hillside, Castle DoningtonMass every Sunday 9am

Kegworth Methodist ChurchHigh St. Kegworth

Sunday ServicesMorning Worship - 10.30amPraise Worship – 6.15pm (First Sunday each month)Minister – Rev. Manville Wiles. Tel. No. 01509 672479

Kegworth Baptist ChurchHigh St. Kegworth

Sunday ServicesMorning Worship & Sunday School – 10.30amEvening Worship – 6.15pm (2nd and 4th Sunday each

month)Minister – Rev. Colin White. Tel No. 01773 832105

by LizJarrom

COUNTRYMATTERS

FREE RANGE EXOTIC GAMEBIRDS.At this time of the year, thecountryside seems to be overrunwith pheasants. Most people areaware of them, even if they only seedead ones on the road. These birdsare not exactly wild as such. Yesthey are roaming free, and goingwhere they like, but the reason theyare so plentiful this time of the yearis because they have been releasedby gamekeepers all over the country.These people rent land offlandowners and farmers.

The chicks hatch in incubators inspring, and when they are strongenough, they are placed in large foxproof runs and fed and watered eachday. When they are full-grown, theyare released, and are allowed towander off where they will. Food andwater is still supplied in the pens,and the birds return regularly tofeed. On our land this year, we alsohave about thirty guinea fowl. Thesebirds are primarily there to act as anearly warning system for the

pheasants, whoare a bit

stupid andliable tobecaughtquiteeasilybyfoxes.Guinea

fowl on the other hand,don’t miss a thing. Theyhang about in a largeflock, and at the slightest hint ofdanger will set up a cacophony ofnoise, alerting every living thingnearby. I don’t know if we have anypartridges, I haven’t seen any yet,and certainly haven’t heard anymales calling.

All these birds of course are gamebirds and are bred for shooting, butthey don’t all get shot The shootingseason ends in February, and anybirds that have escaped the gun, areleft to breed. The male pheasantsgather together a small flock offemales, and defend them and theirterritory against other males. Guineafowl and partridges pair off and maybreed but they are not as successfulas pheasants.

Fortunately for these gamebirds, thenew rules compelling farmers toleave uncultivated field margins of atleast 2 metres may help them andother wildlife to thrive. Partridgechicks in particular need to be fedlive insects for the first two weeks oflife, and the field margins are morelikely to support the insects theyneed than the cropped areas. So Ishall look forward to seeing more ofthese colourful birds over the winter,and maybe some chicks in thespring.

Diseworth Post OfficeDear All

As you may already beaware my last day asSubpostmistress for

Diseworth will be Tuesday 20December 2005.

This is due to the sale of PinnacleStore & Post Office, Breedon. Oliver &I have built a successful business atBreedon over the last seven yearsand now we feel ready for a newchallenge.

I would like to thank the people ofDiseworth who have supported thePost Office since it reopened in thevillage hall two years ago and ifanyone is interested in continuing thisrewarding business for the communityplease telephone Nick Collings(Rural Transfer Advisor) on 08457223344.

Best wishesMargaret

Thank YouMichael, Anita, Chris and Nikkiwould like to thank everyone whohelped to make Nikki & Chris’ swedding day such a wonderfuloccasion. The flowers in thechurch were magnificent and thetime and effort put in by Rosie,Muriel, Audrey, Sheila and Sandiewas very much appreciated. Thankyou all! Our thanks also to the bellringers, organist and Rev. NigelTuffnell for carrying outsuch a beautiful service.The day was absolutelymemorable in everyway and we all had afabulous time.Thank you.

May we say what a lovelysurprise it was to receive theterrific harvest gift. Well doneto all concerned. Thecommunity spirit that exists inthis villagemakes livinghere a realpleasure.Norma &BrianChapman

Neighbourhood WatchAs a founder member

of Neighbourhood Watch inDiseworth what a let down itis for Mr Blackhall and MrHarrison, our founder co-ordinators. Diseworth was avery strong NeighbourhoodWatch village.

We have had noAGM’s for a number ofyears.

Does this make theNeighbourhood Watchcommittee void? If this is thecase, what happens to ourfunds in the bank? I suggestthis be withdrawn and givento another worthwhile villagefund.

Muriel Howe

Retired ResidentsChristmas Lunch

Thursday8th

December2005Village

Hall 1pm

All senior citizens and retired residentsof Diseworth very welcome

To book – contact Nikki Hening 853647

DISEWORTH PLAYGROUP

BOXING DAYFUN RUN

The Annual Diseworth Fun Run willbe held on

Monday 26th December 2005We will meet at The Cross at 11.00amfor the main race to start at 11.30am.

Entrance tickets are £2 for adults and £1 for children.The race is 2 laps of the village ending at The Plough – no

cheating!!!The main race will also include trolleys andbuggies – preferably decorated – there is a

prize for the winner.

The Fun Run is open to anyone of any ageand visiting relatives are especially welcome.

There will be raffle tickets on sale during the day and the drawwill be held on New Years Eve – see local notice boards for winningticket numbers.

ALL RAFFLE PRIZES GRATEFULLY RECEIVED!

Being a novice to this event I am hoping that all the usual helperswill help me this year and anyone else who would like to be involvedplease contact me on the number below

I hope to see you all thereAnna Groves 01332 810014

I am sure many of you travelling to Long Whatton will have noticedthe transformation of the roadside hedge between the A42 and theM1.

This was the site of the Annual Quorn Hunt HedgecuttingCompetition which has been held for more than 80years, when 25competitors each had to cut, lay, stake and bind 10 yards of hedgein four and a half hours. The standard set was very high giving thejudges a very difficult task to find the winners of three differentclasses.

Although the competitors now use chain saws to make the job easiermuch of the cutting work is still done using very sharp hand tools.

The skilful competitors, some being the best in the country, madevery strong hedges which if carefully trimmed annually shouldremain stockproof for about 40 years. They will also provideexcellent safe nesting sites for many small birds.

Our thanks go to Lord Crawshaw and Brian and ColinJarrom who provided the excellent hedges.

Ian Dakin.

The Quorn Hedgecutting Competition

It’s Christmas

The cake, the tree, the decorationsThe shopping sprees, the preparations

The wine is mulled, the crackers pulledIt’s Christmas

The lights, the toys and Santa’s grottoesThe presents, cards and funny mottoes

The drinks are chilled, the glasses filledIt’s Christmas

The parties and the celebrationsThe gatherings with close relations

The carols are sung, the stockings hungIt’s Christmas

Christmas Day is almost hereAnd in its wake will come New Year

Our greetings we send, as the year nears its endHappy Christmas

Helen Newall

Martin & Nikki Heningsend Good Wishes to all

friends andacquaintances for a veryHappy Christmas and a

Peaceful 2006

Ken & Sue Brompton wish all their friends and neighbours a very merryChristmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Jim and Carlywish everyone inDiseworth a veryHappy Christmas

and a healthy,peaceful 2006.

Mike, Julie, Matthewand Hannah wish

all their friends andneighbours a

Lovely Christmas,and a Peaceful New

Year.

‘Sandie and Dave would like to wish all their friends and neighbours a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.’

Christmas Greetingsin aid of Rainbows Childrens Hospice,

Loughborough

Nigel, Ruth and Aaron wish alltheir friends and neighbours in

the village a very happyChristmastime and a peaceful

New Year.

I would like to sayA BIG THANK YOU

to all my customers past andpresent for your support and

may you all have aFANTASTIC

CHRISTMAS.Love Diana

Liz and Will Jarromsend Christmas

Greetings to everyonein Diseworth and wishyou all a prosperous

and healthy NewYear.

Best Wishes toeveryone we knowin Diseworth“Merry Christmasand a Happy NewYear”From The Austs atLilly’s Cottage

Diseworth Village Hallneeds YOUR support

Official OpeningJackie’s memorial kitchen will be officially opened on Sunday

4th December at 7pm. Whilst it would be especially nice to seeall those people who have performed, donated or supported our

efforts, I would like to welcome everyone to attend theopening which will last around 30 minutes.

Dave Adcock

The last 18 months have seen someremarkable changes in your VillageHall, we now believe we are well on theway to providing the village with a hallto be proud of. Having now completedthe refurbishment of the toilets(including disabled facility), installedgas central heating and re-decoratedthroughout most of the hall, plus withthe new kitchen installation nearingcompletion, and the resurfacing of theplayground fund well on the way toreaching its target we are hopefullycreating an environment to be enjoyedby all. Clearly the finance has dippedduring this time, and we now reach apoint where we need to rebuild ourfinancial position so that furtherprojects such as the flat roofing repair,the dressing of the main hall floor andnew curtains can be addressed.

To help us move towards these targetswe are now looking for support in avariety of ways, ways that may suitdifferent individuals.

After the recent AGM, whichsadly was very poorlysupported, we are looking to co-opt active members onto the committeeto help in the general running of the halland help with fund raising ideas. Thisusually means attending no more than 6short meetings a year. Or maybe youwould like to be an active supporter ofthe Village Hall without being acommittee member, either way we wouldbe pleased to hear from you.

Another project currently beingaddressed is the replacement of theinternal notice boards, 2 in the main halland 2 in the committee room, mainlyused by the Playgroup but available forall to use. At a cost of around £30 to£40 each we are looking for companiesor individuals wishing to sponsor 1 ormore of these boards, or donate towardsthe overall cost.

For further information on either of theabove items please contact Dave Adcockon 01332 850337.

Jackie’s Memorial Kitchen UpdateIt’s nice to be able to report that since the memorial concerts were held in earlySeptember, donations have continued to come in. They have come in from thefollowing organisations - Wings, Women’s Group, Claudette Caven DanceCompany, The Flower Show committee, The Plough, Diseworth Church, and thequiz evening organised by John Hurley. These donations, along with somewonderful personal donations have taken the fund total to just short of £2500.

This total will allow us to completely refurbish the kitchen, including newappliances, new back door and additional electrics. However, it became apparentthat in line with legislation that non slip flooring would need to be laid at a cost of£900 which had not been allowed for in the budget. It is very pleasing to be able toreport that this cost has now been met in full by the Nottingham East MidlandsAirport, a very generous and gratefully received donation. On that note I would liketo thank all those organisations and individuals who have donated either financiallyor in effort towards creating such a wonderful achievement.

Dave Adcock

We are now looking to re-vitalise the Village Hall 200 Club, still running aftermany years, but for various reasons the number of participants have nowdropped. We are now looking for new members to join the 200 Club, youmay be new to the village, you may have just started earning a wage, maybeyou have given up some of your old vices or maybe you are just a generousperson, whatever it maybe, if you wish to be included in the 200 Club pleasecontactJohn Hurley at 14 The Woodcroft or phone no 01332 810130Details:Cost £12 per annum payable by either direct debit (preferable ifpossible please) cheque or cash (instalments can be arranged ifrequired).Prize money, 1st £30, 2nd £20, 3rd £10 per month at present.

It is hoped that this will increase in line with new participantswishing to join.It’s your village hall, please help us to look after it Dave Adcock

Just Another YearSix years ago, Rev Sandra Chantry andchurchwarden David Bird asked if Brian& I would take over the duties of the lateOliver Brookes as church key holders.Oliver, who sadly passed away in August1999 took the duties of key holder veryseriously, - not many people made itthrough the church gates without Oliverbeing about – and of course we said yes tothe request.

CHURCH KEY HOLDERS or the correcttitle SEXTON; we looked up the meaningin the dictionary – the official in charge ofa church, often acting as gravedigger; achurch employee, usually the caretakerand bell ringer. Well we haven’t had toundertake these tasks so far.

2005 has been a very busy year in ourchurch even though our normal serviceswere cut by 50% in January. The dutieswe carry out are as follows: open thechurch most days; lock up and try not tolock anyone inside, put out the bins andkeep the borders and bushes in the walktidy (these have not been so good thisyear).Brian’s other title should be musicaldirector – more on that later.

Early in the year we had the funeralservices of Margaret Haskins and PeterJarrom. We needed to ensure the churchwas ready for the burials with the southdoor open. In April we prepared for theservice of our niece Jackie and Davidasked Brian to be responsible for themusic to be played. Brian was worriedbut all went well. We knew there wouldbe a large congregation and after movingsome furniture around we were able toseat 300 people. Our fourth funeral was inAugust when we said goodbye to KateLockett. Since the year 2000 we have had16 funerals in church but have lost 29

village residents.

In June we madescarecrows in churchready for the festival.After a very successfulweekend work started on the new vestryand eventually a toilet and water laid on.Every time we went into church to seewhat was being done it was tea break forthe workers. This work created a lot ofdust and took lots of cleaning up but wecan now see what our fundraising moneyhas achieved so far.

24th July was a very happy day when westarted the celebrations for mother’s 100th

birthday with a church service to dedicatethe new church gates in memory of dad.We have also just had our 6th wedding ofthe year in church. Each one was special,all with different colour themes. Thechurch path has never been swept sowell!!

We’ve had some sad times and somelaughter during our church duties,especially when I was let loose with theloppers cutting back the shrubs. We weregiven some chairs from the village hall(thank you), which were thick with dustbecause they had been in the loft for avery long time. We had to wash these witha yard brush by the water tank, then againwith hot soapy water and a soft brush.They have scrubbed up well. Sadly ourgift box was broken into and emptied butput back so no one could see the lock hadbeen forced

As another year ends we have observedRemembrance Sunday and soon it will beChristmas. We will do our best to keep upthe good work. Brian & Muriel Howe Church Sextons

Review of theYear

Bags2School Appeal. The bagsweighed in at 1,450 kilos and

made us £290 towards the‘resurface the playground’ fund.

A big Thank you to everyone whomade this such a success

Marion Wardle celebrating her 80thbirthday with family and friends

The Quorn Hunt gather in Diseworth -12th February 2005

Fundraising for Jackie’sMemorial Kitchen - 2nd and 3rd

SeptemberRemembrance Sunday

Vivienne Cherry & Basil Williamswith flowergirls Soraya, Flora and Molly

Angela Shelton &Dominic Bellamy

Sally Dakin & Enver Kleijwegkt

Nicola Crowfoot &Christopher Logan

Teresa Hammond &Kevin Walker

Anne Watson & Geoff Stone

Karen Cheney & Barry Smith

Gwenda Jane Gordon &Anthony Hulse 2005

Gwenda’s parentsMargaret Mills &Anthony Gordon whowere married atDiseworth Church 1968

Floramania -

The Dialogue on TV

18th & 19th June

Open Flower Show -September 10th

The Diseworth Dialogue’s 10thBirthday Celebrations

Annie Fletcher celebratingher 100th birthday

Down1 The Festive ......, Christmas time (6)2 Served at tea time on Christmas day,covered with marzipan and icing (4)4 What 12 down will fill with presents, if you’ve been good! (8)5 Bright decorations for the tree (6)9 One of the deer pulling 12 down’s

sleigh (6)11 20 down ...., a Christmas

treat (4)12 and 13 across - bringschildren (and hopefullyadults!) presents (5)15 The colour of 9down’s nose (3)16 Pulled duringChristmas dinner (8)17 ..., 8 across, and

be merry! (3)18 Popular choicefor the Christmastree (3)20 See 11 down

A Christmas Tree Puzzle by Anna Groves

Across1 Participate in a winter sport (3)3 Christmas tree decoration (6)6 ’No room at the ...’ (3)7 Family gathering around the piano (8)8 See 17 down (5)10 ... turtle doves, given by my truelove on the second day ofChristmas (3)11 Essential part ofChristmas dinner, servedwith brandy butter orcream (7)13 See 12 down (5)14 ’Three ...... 23across’, brought by mytrue love on the thirdday of Christmas (6)18 Traditionallysits atop the tree(5)19 The best wayto serve turkey (7)21 Hymn sung atChristmastime (5)

22 One of these sang‘Hark’ in the 21 across (5)23 See 14 across (4) Turn to page 47 for

the answers

1

2

3 4 56

88

7

9 10

11 12

13

14 15 1617 18

1920 21

22

23

Extra copies of theDiseworthDialogue

will be on sale in bothThe Plough and The Bull

& Swan and also inDiseworth & Long

Whatton Post Office

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DIALOGUE DISPATCHESIf you have items for the

FEBRUARY issue of the Dialogueplease give to a committee member

or email tosue@cbrompton.fsnet.co.uk and

admin@airnig.co.uk PLEASE MEET THE DEADLINE OFTHE 7th January

There is NO CHARGE to put itemsinto the magazine -

(except the yellow pages).Please share with us your stories

and announcements.

FOR SALE

Mobile Arc Welding Machineplus accessories.

Cost £175. Used only 3times.

Any reasonable offerconsidered.

Telephone 810990

Advertising News

The Ultimate Foot Care chiropodyservices with Catherine Sutton.

Diseworth BasedHome Visits

See yellow pages for more details.

For a cracking Christmas come toDonington Nurseries Lots of realtrees to choose from. FREEDELIVERY TO DISEWORTH. MOBILE LIBRARY

The Mobile Library comes toDiseworth on alternate Fridays andstops for 15 minutes at six places inthe village: 11.40am at Page Lanefolowed by The Woodcroft, TheBowley, Hallgate, Brookside and

finishing in ClementsGate at 14.05.

The dates are December2nd and 16th

and January 13th and 27thThe contact number for the mobile

library is 01530 835951.

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DIALOGUE DISPATCHES

The latest winners of the 200 club are:-

August September October1st (105) – D Griffin - £30 1st (8) W Jarrom - £30 1st (76) –A Yeats –£302nd (86) R Cheney - £20 2nd (87) D Cherry - £20 2nd (154) M Hening - £203rd (166) H Adkin - £10 3rd 165) S Roberts - £10 3rd (150) B Barrett £10

FOR SALE

Folding Fisherman’s TrolleyLightweight with wide wheels.

Gent’s Touring Cycle3Speed Sturmey-Archer Gears, Straight

Handlebars, Parcel Rack.Yes the Custard Flier is looking for a new

owner!

Home Brewing Equipment.Five gallon poly-barrel, demijohns, airlocks, corks bungs and other wine and

beer making sundries.

Phone 810953 afternoons and evenings

Digital Colour/Black &White Copying

Now available inDiseworth.

Competitive rates withdiscounts for bulk copies.

4p per copy donated to theDiseworth Dialogue for all

colour copies printed.Telephone or e-mail Ruth

Smith on 01332 811538 oradmin@airnig.co.uk for

prices or more information.

Diseworth Open Flower Show 2005The Diseworth Show Committee is pleased to announce that inaddition to its usual donation to the British Legion (£50 this year), itwas able to donate a sum of £356.07 to Jackie’s Memorial Kitchen

Fund. We are delighted to see how quickly thetransformation is progressing. Many thanks to

all who helped to organise the day andespecially to those who braved theweather and most generously supportedthe event.

Pat Guy & Janet Fletcher.

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DIALOGUE DISPATCHES

Christmas Newsfrom

The Plough Inn

Christmas openinghours will be asfollows: 

Christmas Eve  11am - 12midnightChristmas Day        11am - 2.30pmBoxing Day               10am - 11pm 27th - Fri 30th 11am - 11pmNew Year’s Eve      11am - 1amNew Year’s Day      12midday - 10.30pm Quiz night - every Wednesday from9pm. Teams of up to 4 people. 50p perperson entry. The winning team winsone gallon of beer. Monday 5th December - VirginCosmetics Evening. Starting at 7.30pm,Sue Orme will be displaying a number ofproducts, including the new Christmasrange, jewellery and make-up. A numberof gift ideas will be available for yourChrismas shopping! Mon 12th - Fri 19th Dec – 4 courseChristmas Menu available for lunch andevenings. £22.95 per person. Bookingsnow being taken. Telephone 01332810333

Sunday Lunch served between 12 noonand 3pm.

DiseworthSchool

sends anInvitationto ElderlyResidentsand Young

Families i.e. pre-schoolchildren to attend a DressRehearsal of the SchoolPlay ‘Jesus’ Christmas

Party’ on the morning ofTuesday 6th December

at approx 9.30am.

LOROS COLLECTION 2005

Pat Guy would like mostsincerely to thank all thosewho helped with the Loroscollection in the village thisyear. Thank you also to allour most generous donors –we achieved the splendidsum of £354.24 this year.

Advertisements in ourYellow Pages can be placed

yearly or monthlyaccording to your needs.

Please contactJudy Keane,01332 812863

for details.

What Makes Us Tick?This has been another memorable year forthe Diseworth Dialogue. I know that it isan old cliché but, where has that yeargone? Although the first magazine of theyear is the February issue, work alwaysbegins during the first week of January.There is a very large voluntarycontribution to the production of eachmagazine. Regular features, diary dates,reports of events etc are sent to us by emailor by hand and are collected together intime for the editorial meeting, usuallyearly in the second week of the month. Theeditorial team then spends several hourssorting the articles and allocating pages,ready for desktop publishing by ourgraphic designer. Pictures also have to bescanned and put into place.

Meanwhile our advertising volunteer hascontacted current and new advertisers –an important source of revenue - and sentthe latest information in. When theDialogue has been assembled, it goes to anumber of proof readers for finalchecking. The master copy is then takento the printers in Long Eaton and collecteda few days later in time for the collatingmeeting, held in a team member’s house.The two electric staplers are fixed up anda cheerful group set to to separate, foldand staple together the 320 magazines.The distribution team then goes intoaction; the magazines are packed intoplastic bags and labelled with the streetname and number of magazines, ready tobe handed over to the delivery team.

After stapling and packing, the Dialoguecommittee holds a meeting to discuss thecurrent issue, the following and futureissues, the financial situation (from ourrigorous treasurer), and future meetingdates, including the date of the nexteditorial meeting and the estimated print

run day. The Dialogues arepassed to the volunteer‘posties’ and hopefully yourmagazine arrives at your homearound the 1st of the month.

The Dialogue team are a friendly andapproachable group who are alwaysready to welcome more people on boardand it is so rewarding when villageresidents comment on how much theylook forward to the magazine’s arrival.

As mentioned above, we keep a very closeeye on our financial situation. We areextremely fortunate to receivesponsorship from DHL Air Limited andfrom the Parish Council, and advertisinggenerates around £1,650. The residents ofDiseworth have been very generous inresponse to our recent envelope drop andthe total received so far is £856 and, onbehalf of the team, I would like to thankyou all. Our costs, which include: fees fordesktop publishing, printing, postage andenvelopes, together with replacement ofequipment used by the desktoppublishing team mean that we just aboutbreak even. The time, effort and materialsincurred in the run up to the magazine’spublication are entirely voluntary. Inrecent years we have been prudent andhave built up a certain reserve of fundswhich means that should financialsupport be suddenly withdrawn, we cancontinue for a limited time to produce thesort of magazine that you have come toexpect and that so many of you are a partof.

Thank you again on behalf of the Dialoguecommittee.

Sue

WAR TIME STORYI drove carefully up the motorway to the little village. After the bustle ofLondon I looked forward to a quiet Bank Holiday. ‘You must not think weare all asleep in the country’ my aunt admonished when I arrived. ‘ A lotgoes on here you know’. This was after a pleasant walk around the villagewhere we encountered no more than five people, all dog walkers, and I hadcommented on the lack of activity. ‘We have had quite a few eventsrecently. The residents celebrated in style the 60th anniversary of the end ofthe war. The children studied the effects of the war in school and I believesome classes planted wartime allotments and grew crops.’‘But what happened here during the war’ I replied ‘Not like in London andother cities, where you could not sleep at night. I bet you had it all quiet’.‘Oh no’ was the reply. ‘What with the airport, small though it was and theRolls Royce factory being a target there were quite a few raids. Why, someof the evacuees from London actually went back home after a couple ofraids saying it was safer there than here’. My aunt went on ‘ some peoplehad shelters and shared them with neighbours when the siren sounded.And there were bombs’. I said nothing then but could not help wonderingif there were really any surprise wartime stories from the village.After dinner I tackled my aunt again. We were sitting in her lovelyconservatory, flowering plants around us, and a bottle of cold white winejust opened. ‘ Go on then’ I encouraged her, ‘tell me a good wartime storyfrom this village’ She hesitated. ‘Actually’ she spoke slowly ‘there is astory, but folk don’t talk about it any more. And it was not this war, but thelast one. A lot of people refused to believe it, said the girl’s mind waswandering when she became ill, but her brother insisted it was true.’ Myaunt took a sip of wine and began.

HettyHetty was born in the village at the beginning of the new century and herbirth cost her mother her life. The baby was brought up by a series of auntsuntil the age of ten years when she came home to the farm cottage whereher father and brothers lived. Each day as they went off to their farm workthe young girl stayed at home and cleaned and cooked. She had been welltrained by her aunts who considered that domestic training was moreimportant than education. When war broke out in 1914, the men in thefamily took on extra farm work and the young girl ran the home oftenfeeding extra workers according to the needs of the farmer. Apart from

instructing his daughter not to speak tostrangers under any circumstances Hetty’sfather took no great concern in her life. Shehad the hens and pigs to feed, the cow tomilk and the house to run and as long as sheperformed these duties he did not seem tonotice her.

The StrangerThe war seemed to be going on a long timefor Hetty but apart from farm shortages, itdid not much affect her, until the day thevisitor arrived. She was walking back fromthe hen house when she saw a figure leaningagainst the fence. Thoroughly startled shejumped back. He was clad in some sort of auniform, the like of which she had never seenbefore, he was filthy dirty, caked in mud andcarried a strange sort of weapon. Hetty whohad only ever seen the guns with which herfather and brothers shot rabbits, wasterrified. She opened her mouth to screambut he came towards her with a pleadinglook and held out his hand. ‘Please, don’tshout, I just need a short rest and I will be onmy way. I am exhausted’ Indeed Hetty couldsee he seemed on the point of collapse. ‘Just adrink of water’ he added ‘I will not troubleyou’. The stranger spoke with a fine culturedvoice which belied his appearance. Hettytook pity on him. ‘Come into the kitchen’ shesaid timidly ‘and then please go’ Hefollowed her in and sank down on to thewooden chair by the door where the menusually took their boots off. He saw thefreshly baked loaf on the table and eyed itravenously. Hetty said nothing but handed him a cup of water and cut hima large crust of bread which he began to eat very quickly. ‘Where are youfrom’ she whispered as he ate. The stranger looked up at her. ‘It was such abattle for the river position. I hope the troops made it. I have to get back tothe King. But not like this. I wouldn’t make it, I really need a change ofclothes so that I will not be recognised’. Hetty was desperate to ask more

questions but she was too shy. It seemed the stranger was indanger, and he certainly would be when her father got backshe thought. ‘You have to go, my father and brothers will beback from the fields soon and they must not find you here’

HelpBut the stranger was not listening to her. He was lost in his own thoughts.Then he looked up ‘Please help me. If you love the King, help me to helphim keep his throne.’Hetty looked at him wide eyed. ‘Me! How can I help the King’ Suddenlythe man smiled and the smile lit up his face. ‘You my dear girl, can you letme have some old clothes, so I would pass for a farm worker’. The girllooked at him; beneath the dirt he was wearing a fine woollen jacket andhis shirt was silk. Hetty had only seen silk once before when the lady fromthe big house had been married, but she remembered it. ‘Yes’ she replied ‘but they are old clothes we keep for the part time workers’ she lowered herhead shyly’. They would not do for you’. ‘They sound perfect’ he said,nibbling at the bread again. ‘Are you very hungry?’ she asked him. Thestranger raised his eyes. ‘Yes but I am really too tired to eat. I have not sleptin days. Is there anywhere I could sleep for just a short while? I will nottrouble you I promise. A shed somewhere, a barn’. ‘No no’ Hetty panicked‘they will find you. And my father will be very angry.’ His face fell and hestood up slowly. ‘If you bring me the clothes I will change out of these andbe on my way’ When she returned with a pair of old trousers, a smock andwaistcoat Hetty spoke again. ‘There is somewhere you can sleep, under thethatch, there is a small space. It is not very nice but no one will find you.When the men leave early in the morning I will call you.’ ‘God Bless You’the stranger replied. ‘I will go now’ He stood up, picked up the clothes andhis gun and followed Hetty up some wooden steps to the tiny space underthe thatch.

HiddenThe unfortunate girl could not eat when the men came home for fear ofthem finding her visitor. They did not seem to notice however, it appearedthere was work needed farther afield and they would leave at dawn thenext day. ‘We will be gone all day Lass, so pack us up some pies’ her fathernodded at Hetty and made his way out to check the animals. She hastilymade some pies of meat and vegetables, and as no one was watching her,she made an extra one and when cooked hid it at the back of her foodcupboard.

Hetty said she did not sleep at all that night for fear thestranger would try to go while the others were still in thehouse, but she need not have worried. He reappeared shortlyafter the men had left for the day, looking much rested. Theyoung girl offered him a hot drink and some eggs which heate quickly. He was dressed in the old clothes she had given him. Inanswer to her unspoken question he said. ‘Don’t worry about my things. Ihave them well hidden’ He stood up to go and Hetty laughed for the firsttime. ‘You can’t go like that’ she went outside and returned with apitchfork. ‘Now you look like a farm worker’ She handed him the pastyfrom the cupboard ‘for your journey’. The stranger looked down at her. ‘ Icannot thank you enough, tell me your name’. ‘Hetty’ she answered ‘forHenrietta’ ‘Ah after our beloved Queen’ said the man. Hetty wanted topoint out that the Queen was not called Henrietta but instead she saidshyly. ‘And tell me yours Sir please’. The stranger bowed before her.‘Rupert’ he took her hand and kissed it. ‘I will never forget you Henrietta’.The next minute he was gone.

MusketMy aunt stood up and refilled our glasses. ‘Hetty did not live very longafter the war. She caught the ‘flu, and when she was very ill told herbrother about the stranger. The story went round the village but peoplewere sceptical. ‘I am not surprised’ I replied tartly. ‘The romanticimaginings of a young girl who spent too much time on her own. Whowould believe it?’

My aunt smiled at my cynicism. ‘The interesting end of the story is thatsome forty or fifty years later that cottage was demolished. And when theypulled the thatch down, a rusty old musket was found in it’.

In 1642 Prince Rupert, nephew of Charles I was stationed at Bunny andinvolved in many skirmishes for control of that part of the river Trent. His

troops often dressed as country folk to avoid capture.(reference: Bunny – Recording the History of a Nottinghamshire village)

The village house where a musket was found is in Ladygate

Nikki Hening

A Servant to Two MastersDiseworth Village Hall was the venue recently for two splendid performances of thehilarious farce – A Servant to Two Masters. As in all farces, the plot wascomplicated, with many a comedy of errors occurring throughout the evening.

In a nutshell, Beatrice is in love with Florindo who has unfortunately killed herbrother Federigo during a quarrel. Beatrice therefore dresses as her brother toobtain money from Pantaloon, a miserly banker whose daughter Clarice is to beforced to marry Federigo even though she is in love with Silvio, son of theinsufferable Dr. Lombardi.

Enter stage right, Truffuldino,a wily servant with an eye tothe main chance, and whoseinterests are women andfood, though not necessarilyin that order. Always ready tomake some money,Truffuldino offers to be aservant to Beatrice who hebelieves is a man. ThenFlorindo turns up incognito atthe same inn where Beatriceis staying and Truffuldinooffers to be his servant aswell. It is then that the funreally begins……

Ady Bryan was superb as thecunning servant. Ever hungry,his requests for refreshmentwere thwarted at every turnas he struggled to perform histasks as a servant to thesetwo masters. The demands ofhis employers, brilliantlyplayed

Julie and Mike Doyle

by Julie and Mike Doyle,became more urgent andcomplicated and Truffuldino,reluctant to admit that he couldnot read, found himself gettingdeeper and deeper into trouble.The comedy now intensified as hefound he was falling in love withSmeraldina, (cannily played bySheila Sly) a lady’s maid as wilyand illiterate as himself. Theoccasional set changes wereaccomplished by the artful servanthimself and the porter, played byJohn Hurley. Their passage acrossthe stage with various props wasaccompanied by deferential nodsto the audience which were asentertaining as the play itself.

There was a suitably happy endingas all the star crossed lovers foundtrue happiness. It was a trulyentertaining evening with excellentperformances from all the cast andthe prolonged applause was well deserved.

Sue Brompton

Letter to the editor

I, along with many others, very much enjoyed thelatest production from the Charnwood CommunityTheatre, A Servant to Two Masters, but it was ashame that half the hall was empty on theThursday night. I think we are very lucky to havelive theatre in Diseworth. We were all hugely

entertained by the fast moving and convoluted plot line in thisItalian farce. The cast were excellent, even the set changes werehighly amusing, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Liz Jarrom

Ady Bryan and John Hurley

DISEWORTH HISTORYSOCIETYA large gathering fromthe Diseworth HistoryGroup and Women’sGroup were joined byvisitors from othervillages in the VillageHall to hear Ida Wrightfrom Tonge describe hertime working as thirdParlourmaid at Langley Priory.

In a very entertaining address Ida told ushow in 1937, at the age of fourteen yearsshe was employed at the Priory to jointhe servants to the Shakespear Family.Her day began at 6am when she took teato the Housekeeper and then began herwork scrubbing, sweeping and polishing.The vacuum cleaner could not be useduntil later in the day as it might awakenthe family. When they were up, it wasIda’s job to go round with a large pailand empty the chamber pots into it. Thiswas then carried down a small flight ofsteps to a ‘pit’. Work continuedthroughout the morning in a set routineuntil 3.15pm when she took a can of hotwater to her room for a wash. There wasonly one bathroom in the Priory and theservants were not allowed to use it, so inthe time she was there Ida managed to‘strip-wash’ each day.

Her bedroom was one of six in the attic,each small room leading into the other,the cook had the end room, then thehousekeeper, then the parlourmaids,which meant Ida’s room afforded no

privacy to her as all the others had towalk through it to reach their rooms.The very important servant seemed to bethe butler who had his own room; hewaited on the family at their meals, themost important being the evening dinnerto which the family were summoned bythe butler striking a large gong. Theyoung Ida thought this was wonderfuland said it was her ambition to one daystrike the gong.

After the afternoon wash, the maidsdressed in their ‘afternoon’ dresses andafter staff tea at 4.30pm carried onworking until 10pm. Ida described theorganisation of the kitchen, which hadneither fridge nor freezer, and theorderliness to ensure the meals wereserved on time and hot. Whilst this wastaking place the maids went up to thebedrooms, drew curtains and turneddown beds.

One afternoon a week the maids had freetime when they would go for a walk or acycle ride. Although the hard work ontheir knees resulted in the painful

WOMEN’S GROUPOn behalf of the ladies we owe a very big thankyou to the History Groupfor inviting us to their evening with Ida Wright from Tonge, who workedas a house maid at Langley Priory in the 1930’s – a delightful piece of localhistory enjoyed by so many.

Christmas MeetingMonday 12th December

A get-together for a Chinese meal at the GoldenDragon at Shardlow.

If you haven’t booked, better hurry! Phone Ruth Smith (811538)or Sue Hill (810650) asap.

Price £15 members, £20 for guests, who are most welcome.

For those who have booked a seat on the community bus –we shall be leaving the village hall at 7.30pm prompt

and will return from the Golden Dragon at 11pm.

Details of 2006 meetings will be circulatedSheila Dakin

condition of ‘housemaids knee’ Idadescribed her time at Langley Priory asvery interesting, and as one alwaysrequired a good reference for futurework, they made no complaints. It was awell-catered household, with freshvegetables every day, and the staff atevery well.

Ida answered many other questions fromthe listeners and was thanked by SheilaDakin for her very interesting andamusing account. Among the audiencewere Mr. & Mrs. Wagstaffe, currentoccupiers at Langley Priory, and aninvitation to return to Langley and strike

the gong was greeted withpleasure by Ida and appreciationfrom everyone present.

An informal evening followed; anexhibition of old photographs,maps and documents attractedmuch interest, especially somefrom Long Whatton HistorySociety.

Many thanks to all who attended,especially Madeleine and Marianne, whoprovided tea, coffee and biscuits, andwho cleared up afterwards, and thehelpers with the chairs.

Nikki Hening

NEW COUNCILLORS NEEDED!At the Council meeting on 3rd November, Councillor John Alexander tendered hisresignation as a Councillor and, therefore, as Chairman for work reasons. John hasbeen a Councillor for the Long Whatton Ward since May 2000. He has also served theCouncil as its representative on the Association of Airport Related Parish Councils (ofwhich he is currently chairman) and various other district and county bodies. John hasworked hard for the Council and will be missed. This does, of course, mean that another Councillor is needed immediately, in additionto a replacement for Steve Hope, who will cease to be a Councillor for the LongWhatton Ward from 31st December. If you are interested, please get in touch with the Clerk as soon as possible.

MORE VANDALISMYet again the play area behind the Village Hall in Diseworth has been subjected tovandalism and the matter reported to the police. During late October a graffiti artistdecided to advertise him/herself on several items of equipment and the litterbin wasoverturned from its concrete base. This is in addition to the damage to the benchmentioned in the last news from the Council. Regrettably this will cost some money torectify – council taxpayers’ money. (Yes, the Council is insured, but the insurancecompany demands an excess payment.) Sorry. Please, if you do see any possiblelikelihood of problems, let the Clerk know. This also applies to our other play areas atCawdell Drive and Long Whatton School.

AUDIT SAYS O.K.The External Auditors representing the national Audit Commission have again givenyour Council’s accounts for the year 2004-5 a clean bill of health, with no comments orqualifications. If you want a copy (for a nominal £1.00) of the Auditor’s statement,please contact the Clerk.

PLANNING APPLICATIONSThe Council tries to ensure that plans for applications are available to residents byhaving a Councillor in each village hold them prior to Planning Committee meetings.Diseworth plans are held by Cllr Sue Roberts (01332 810813) and those for LongWhatton by Cllr Mary Hobbs (01509) 842486). The law is that you have to see them

with a Councillor/the Clerk and you can’t make copies, I’m afraid. Planscan also be seen at the Council Offices in Coalville.

By the time you read this it will be late November/early December, so –on behalf of the Council – have a happy festive season!

Nev Cheetham Clerk to the Council

LONG WHATTON & DISEWORTHPARISH COUNCILNEWS.

PARISH PLAN – INITIAL MEETINGThe Parish Council convened a meeting to introduce the idea ofdeveloping a Parish Plan and to see what degree of support there wasfor it.

The theme was introduced by Diana Cook and Jenny Beeby from the RuralCommunity Council, who went through the purposes of a plan, how to set aboutone, and what financial support might be available (up to £1500 if both villages inthe parish become involved).

The main part of the evening was questions and comments from the audience, andthe answers were straightforward. We all got a leaflet summarising the possiblecontent and method: plans go far beyond the planning emphasis of the VillageDesign Statement, and the social enquiry which formed the basis of the VillageAppraisal report, which is anyway over eight years old. In fact almost any topicwhich residents feel has an influence on their quality of life could be considered –social, economic, transport and planning in particular, but examples fromelsewhere include a wide variety of issues.

The Parish Council would normally be involved to some extent, but we wereadvised that a steering group set up especially for the purpose, with its ownofficers, could be most effective. The whole process might last about 12 months,although this can vary widely. Jenny Beeby is our designated CommunityDevelopment Officer and would give whatever help and support she could onbehalf of the Rural Community Council. The final report would, we are assured, beinfluential with both the District and the County Councils.

At the end of the meeting half a dozen of those present put their names forward toform the basis of a Steering Group, and the first meeting will be on Wednesday 30November, at 7.30 in the Village Hall. Anyone else who would like to come along ismost welcome – Jenny Beeby will help to organise the first meeting, but really it’sup to us.

(I realise that many people will not have the chance to read this before themeeting, but we will try to publicise it as widely as possible).

A leaflet is available for those who wish to know more, and I can let you have acopy on request; also of Nev Cheetham’s notes of the meeting, which help to givea flavour of what was raised at the time.

Before the steering group meets there will have been a similar meeting in LongWhatton, and they will have been asked, as we were, do they want a separatereport, or just one for the whole Parish containing issues of common concern plusseparate sections within it for the two villages. We will report back on that to theSteering Group. Martin Hening

Parish DirectoryA Parish Directory is going to be published to coverDiseworth and Long Whatton villages. It will be deliveredfree to every household in each village and will beavailable to all new residents. The Directory will raiseawareness of all the services offered to both villages andwill contain names and telephone numbers and email addresses. Thusresidents would be aware of activities and such offered by their sistervillage and have the contacts to hand. Domestic services offered byeach village such as electrician, plumber, IT support, farm produce etcwould only be those resident in the Parish. There will be no charge forentry.

The services would come under the following headings:

Community - Parish Council, Police, Community Groups, Neighbourhood watch, Magazine contacts.

ChurchesEducation - Nurseries, Playgroups, schools, further education,

vocational courses etc.Shops and Facilities - Post Offices, Newsagents, Farm ProducePublic Houses and RestaurantsAccommodation - Hotels, B&BTransport - Airport, Buses, TaxisDomestic Services - Home mobile services e.g. hairdressing,

ironing, cleaning, gardening etcWellbeing - surgeries, hospital, walk in centre

Residents wishing to supply their contact names and numbers please doso to either of the names listed below by 14th January 2006. It is hoped toproduce the Directory in the Spring. Suggestions for other items to beincluded will be welcomed.

Nikki Hening 01332 853647 heningm@9clements.fsnet.co.uk

Helen Sutherland 01509 843 253 helen@sutherland.name

The 3 stages of man:He believes in Santa Claus.

He doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.He is Santa Claus.

DiseworthMillenniumMeadowThe Millennium Meadow is availablefor use by all inhabitants of Diseworth

and Long Whatton at any time.It is perfect for a quiet stroll at this time

of year. Dogs are welcome providedthey are under control and do not foulthe site. Please ensure the small gate is

secured.Contact Pat Guy: 811119

To See This Month & Next

If snow settles this Winter, and especiallyif there is also frost, the Meadow willbecome a fascinating place. You will beable to see traces of all the animals andbirds that visit.

Look for long lines of single footprintslike a small dog; these are fox. Rabbitsmake two small prints, plus two largerones side by side from their back feet asthey lollop along. And, they DIG,everywhere! They are trying to get atbulbs and the juicy bases of grass clumpsfor food. The foxes also dig for mice,which live below the snow, but can stillbe heard and smelt.

You should also see mouse or voletracks, very small and fine, and footprintsof birds of all sizes from crows andmagpies down to blackbirds, robins andwrens. The largest you could hope to seewould be the Heron, and if you do, wewould love to know, as we have not yetseen it land in the Meadow. Take a tapemeasure.

DISEWORTHBOOK WORMS

Following our successful firstmeeting the Book Worms metagain on 18th October. We

discussed the chosen book ‘A Short Historyof Tractors in Ukranian’ and commented onits various merits. Generally we all foundthe book amusing, but not sure if we wouldhave read it had it not been picked.

Two new books will be discussed at theDecember meeting - Small Island by AndreaLevy and The Time Travellers Wife byAudrey Niffeneger. Both are available inpaperback, and possibly from the MobileLibrary.

For our 15th November meeting we shall beviewing the DVD I Capture the Castle.

November Meeting

We had our first DVD viewing on 15th

November, a showing of ‘I Capture theCastle’. A film about two young girlsgrowing up in a castle with their author fatherand eccentric artist mother. Their variousexploits were very entertaining and enjoyedby all who attended.

Because of Christmas activities it wasdecided that there will be no meeting inDecember. We shall re group on 17th Januaryat Jo Coulson’s, 26a Clements Gate at 2pm.to discuss the two chosen books, Small Islandby Andrea Levy, and The Time TravellersWife by Audrey Niffenegger.

Our next DVD/Video presentation will be on21st February, and the film will be eitherUnder the Tuscan Sun or Tea with Mussolini– venue to be advised.

Sandie Moores

‘Make-ahead mulled wine cake’THE NIGHT BEFORE500ml sweet port1 Mulled Wine bag1 medium orange1tsp whole cloves200gm each sultanas, currants and raisins250 bag ready to eat prunes, chopped100gm pot chopped mixed peel

THE DAY YOU BAKE200gm butter200gm dark muscovadosugar4 eggs, beaten250gm plain flour1tsp cinnamon2tsp mixed spicegood pinch ground cloves

1 Soak the fruit the night before baking; pour the port into a saucepanand drop in the mulled wine bag, a strip of orange zest and the cloves.Bring to the boil, then remove from heat and allow the flavours to steepfor 15 minutes. Mix the dried fruit and peel in a large bowl and strainthe hot mulled port onto it. Discard the mulled spices and orange peel.Cover the bowl with cling film and leave at room temperature to absorbovernight.

2 Heat the oven to 160/fan 140/gas 3. Grease and line the bottom andsides of a deep 20cm cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment.Wrap the outside of the tin with a double layer of baking parchment orbrown paper. Beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy, thengradually beat in the beaten egg, adding a little flour if it starts tocurdle. Finally grate the rest of the orange zest and fold in with therest of the ingredients and the soaked fruit. Discard any excess port ifthe fruit has not absorbed it all. Spoon into the tin, smooth the surfacewith the spoon and make a slight dip in the middle. Bake for 30 minutes.

3 Turn the oven down to 150/fan 130 gas 2 and bake for a further 1 ½- 1 ¾ hrs until dark golden brown and an insertedskewer comes out clean. Any cracks that appear willclose up as the cake cools. Leave to cool in the tin,then remove and keep well wrapped in an airtightcontainer until required.

Taken from BBC Good Food Magazine

HEALTH PAGEESCAPE HEARTBURN THISCHRISTMASAs we enter the festive season, many ofus may be tempted to overindulge inrich food and drink. No harm in thatonce in a while, but for some anunpleasant consequence may be anattack of heartburn.

Symptoms are pain and discomfort inthe centre of the chest, often with aburning sensation, usually after eating.An occasional attack of heartburn doeslittle harm, but frequent bouts can leadto damage of the tender lining of theoesophagus. Heartburn occurs when thelower oesophageal sphincter, a smallmuscular ring that separates theoesophagus from the stomach, fails toremain closed properly. The sphincter’sjob is to keep the stomach contentsdown where they belong. Normally,when we swallow, this muscle relaxes toallow food to pass into the stomach.Usually, it then closes tightly but,sometimes it may become weakened andstretched so that it no longer snapstightly shut, or it may relax and springopen at the wrong time. This allowsstomach acid and partly digested food toenter the oesophagus, causing pain anddamage to it’s sensitive lining, and abitter taste in the mouth. If this happensregularly, the lower end of theoesophagus can become inflamed bybeing repeatedly doused in stomachacid. Then, even swallowing irritatingfood or drink can cause pain.

Eating too much orgulping food canoverload the stomach and cause thesphincter muscle to pop open. Somefoods, such as cola, beer, milk and allcoffee, can increase the acidity of thestomach juices, increasing thelikelihood of oesophageal damageduring reflux. Specific foods, namelychocolate, especially milk chocolate,fatty food, garlic, onions, orange juice,chilli sauce, tomatoes, coffee andalcohol, can cause the sphincter muscleto relax, causing reflux.

To relieve symptoms of heartburn, or toprevent it happening in the first place,take the following steps. Avoid theaforementioned foods, but eat morecomplex carbohydrates and protein.Take steps to lose weight especiallyaround the abdomen as fat in this areacan press on the sphincter muscle.Avoid lying down for three hours aftereating to allow the stomach too fullyempty. Lie on the left side of the bodyrather than the right. The oesophagusenters the stomach from the right solying on the right side can make iteasier for acid to pass into theoesophagus. Lastly, beware of drinkingalcohol and then going to bed too soon,as this is quite likely to cause reflux.

Liz Jarrom

Answers to Christmas Crossword from page 27

Down1 Season2 Cake4 Stocking5 Lights9 Rudolf11 Pies12 Santa

Tag Rugby TournamentOn Friday the 4th of November, 8primary schools went to KegworthSchool to have a tag rugbytournament.

There were 10 people in each team.The people who were in the Diseworthteam were Harmony, Chloe, Lucy,Megan, Jamie, Harry, Sam, Josh,Charlie and Jed. Diseworth played in 3matches and 1 to see who was going to come 3rd. Diseworth firstmatch was against Long Whatton, Diseworth won 11-8. The secondmatch was against Kegworth. Diseworth won 9-1. The 3rd matchwould decide who would get through to the final. We were playingagainst Orchard.

Diseworth tried their best but Orchard won 9-4. This meant thatDiseworth were runners-up in pool B and had to play Hemington tosee who would be 3rd and 4th. It was a very even game and the finalscore was 8-8, so the referee decided that we should both be 3rd.

The tournament ended with Kegworth Reds beating Orchard 8-6 inthe final to win the trophy.

By Lucy Agar

Across1 Ski3 Tinsel6 Inn7 Singsong8 Drink10 Two11 Pudding

13 Claus14 French18 Fairy19 Roasted21 Carol22 Angel23 Hens

15 Red16 Crackers17 Eat18 Fir20 Mince

BBC East Midlands 0115 955 0500BBC Radio Derby 01332 361111British Gas - Service 0645 605040 Gas Escape Emergency 0800 111999Castle Donington Community College

01332 810528Castle Donington Volunteer Bureau

01332 850526Chemist, Gerald Porter, Castle Donington

01332 810213Curzon Cinema Loughborough 01509 212261Derby City Hospital 01332 340131Derby Playhouse 01332 363275Derby Royal Infirmary, Accident & Emerg.Reception ext 2170 01332 347141Derbyshire Children’s Hospital- emergency dept. 01332 340131(health emergencies not caused by injury)

ext. 6808/6809Diseworth Post Office 01332 864242Diseworth C of E Primary School

01332 810208Doctor’s Surgery -Health Centre, Castle Donington

01332 811480Orchard Surgery, Kegworth 01509 674919

Directory of Useful Numbers

YOUR LOCAL PARISH COUNCILThe role of your Parish Council is to safeguard the amenities of the village, e.g. Highways,Lighting, Drainage, Road Signs and Planning matters. Current Planning Applications affectingthe village are available for inspection, by arrangement, with the Clerk, Nev Cheetham, 15Victoria Road, Draycott, DE72 3PS, telephone 01332 874234 or by e maillongwhattondiseworth@msn.com Please visit the web site at www.lwdpc.org.ukIf you wish to discuss any matters of concern, please contact your Parish Councillors.John Alexander, 28 The Woodcroft, Diseworth DE74 2QT 01332 814614Martin Hening, 9 Clements Gate, Diseworth DE74 2QE 01332 853647Sue Roberts, Chapel Farm, Hall Gate, Diseworth DE74 2QJ 01332 810813Kevin Brown, 10 Grimes Gate, Diseworth DE74 2QD 01332 850910Vicky Collins, 12 Main Street, Long Whatton LE12 5DG 07796 444172Mary Hobbs, 24 Main Street, Long Whatton LE12 5DF 01509 842486Steve Hope, 3 Smithy Lane, Long Whatton LE12 5BE 01509 646235

Parish Council meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month,alternately at Diseworth Village Hall and Long Whatton Community Centre.

East Midlands Airport Duty Manager 01332 852852

East Midlands Electricity - emergencies 0800 056 8090 customer services 0800 363363Environment Agency 0800 807060Loughborough Hospital 01509 611600

NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk08 45 46 47

North West Leicester District Council 01530 454545

Nottingham Concert Hall 0115 989 5555Nottingham Playhouse 0115 941 9419Nottingham Royal Centre 0115 989 5555http:/www.netpresence.co.uk/royalcentre/Post Office - Long Whatton 01509 842264Queens Medical Centre, University Hospital,Nottingham 0115 924 9924Radio Trent 0115 952 7000Severn Trent Customer Services

08007 834444If you have any suggestions for usefulnumbers to be included in theDirectory, please let any CommitteeMember know (in writing).It’s your magazine!

CONTACT PERSONS:BROOKSIDE:Margaret McKinlay, 850172CLEMENTS GATE:Margaret LaRue, 850870Pauline Fletcher, 811143GRIMES GATE & KEGWORTH ROAD:Ron Mearns, 812147Pat Cotton, 811175HALL GATE:Brian Howe, 850338.Peter Whitehead, 850131B & R Smith, 812600LADY GATE & LONG MERE LANE:S Moores, 812629

LOUGHBOROUGH POLICE: 01162-222222PC Wilton 0116 2485075 ext 1245

Village DirectoryOrganisation Contact Person Telephone NoBrownies Jane Lindley 01332 810796Diseworth Village Hall Dave Adcock 01332 850337Flower Show Pat Guy 01332 811119Friends of Diseworth School Jane Hughes 01332 850994Guides Sandie Fletcher 01332 811143Heritage Centre Martin Hening 01332 853647History Society Joyce Leech 01332 812044Millennium Meadow Pat Guy 01332 811119Neighbourhood Watch Noel McGough 01332 811362Playgroup & Toddlers Katrina Paling 01332 811362Scouts & Cubs Jenny Buckle 01509 842593Soar Valley Twinning Assoc. Sheila Hawksworth 01509 568793W.I.N.G.S. Erica & Andy Foxall 01332 811689Womens’ Discussion Group Liz Jarrom 01332 810358Womens’ Group Sheila Dakin 01332 810858

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONTACTSCO-ORDINATORS:

Noel McGough, 28 Lady Gate. 811362Barry Smith, 18 Hall Gate. 812600

Mike Keane, 10-14 Clements Gate. 812863

PAGE LANE & ORCHARD CLOSE:Mike & Eileen Whitt, 812758THE BOWLEY:Muriel Howe, 850338THE GREEN:

THE WOODCROFT:Nick Hollick, 810119Marilyn Reaney, 810122Ian Marshall, 812400SHAKESPEAR CL. &SHAKESPEARE DR.Mike & Julie Doyle, 810785

Diseworth Village HallIf you would like to book the village hall please contact Dave Adcock.

He will make arrangements for the provision of keys at the appropriate time.9 Page Lane, Diseworth. 01332 850337