june 2011 groby & field head spotlight magazine

Groby & Field Head

Mid-June 2011

Next issue out on 13th August • Article/Advert Deadline: 30th July

The News & Information Magazine for Groby, Field Head & The Brantings

Is this your cat?

This Tom cat has been spending most of every day in our garden. He is very friendly and loves being stroked but he is obviously a fighter and is covered in scratches. We think he may be a stray but do not want to contact the RSPCA until we know for sure he doesn’t have a home. He can’t stay in our garden as he regularly attacks our four cats! Please contact 07766 660581 if he belongs to you, or if you know his owners. Thank you.

Don’t Miss the Street Fair & Ceilidh! Lots of information inside on pages 4, 5, 18, 19 & 20.

Groby couple open new fashion shop in the villageA Groby couple have launched their discount fashion business by opening a shop in their home village.Martyn and Glynis

Jarvis have lived in the village on and off since 1979 as a couple, but Glynis since she was 13.They have taken the

plunge into fashion retailing by launching ‘Brambles’ at No.1 Newtown Linford Lane, Groby.The shop sells

high street brands at up to 80% off the recommended retail price. All of the items are brand new, not seconds, complete with price tag and labels.Martyn says: “We

both saw this as a great opportunity to open a shop in Groby and up to now the response has been brilliant with everyone giving us best wishes. We have been told it is just what the village needed.”When he’s not working, Martyn’s

hobbies include golf (he’s a member at Lingdale Golf Club) and football, supporting Celtic for most of his life. He has also been a football referee for 26 years.Glynis’s hobbies include house

renovating.

Natasha Jackson Memorial Charity Day in aid of Air AmbulanceoN SAturDAy June 18th the Stamford Arms will be holding the 2nd Annual Charity Event in Memory of Natasha Jackson.The inaugural Charity Day last August raised a

staggering £2110 for Air Ambulance and huge thanks go out to all who attended and donated money and raffle prizes. Following the great success of last year, this years

Charity Day will again include a Golf Tournament at Forest Hill Golf Club, followed by a Disco, Buffet and Raffle at The Stamford Arms in the evening.Tickets for the evening are £5 each and are available

now from The Stamford Arms or by contacting:Andy Eversfield : 07852 109759Mick Quilter : 07894 547830Neil bosworth : 07841 475772

Entry fee to the Golf Tournament is £35 per person – Please contact Mick Quilter to book a place.

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Vandals upset BMX users

uSErS of the new bMX facility in Groby have expressed their anger at the behaviour of a few youths at the site. The track has been a huge success since it was

opened at Easter with the number of cyclists exceeding all expectations. Users have been angered by reports that some youths

have been throwing bins and rubbish around and climbing on the shelter. They are hoping that the permanent concrete bins can be installed as soon as possible, but the bins are a special order line. The Clerk to the Parish Council is chasing up a date for delivery.

Norman Griffiths

This Tom cat has been spending most of every day in our garden. He is very friendly and loves being stroked but

he is obviously a fighter and is covered in scratches.We think he may be a stray but do not want to contact the

RSPCA until we know for sure he doesn’t have a home. He can’t stay in our garden as he regularly attacks

our four cats!Please contact 07766 660581 if he belongs to you,

or if you know his owners. Thank you.

Is this your cat?

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JUNE 2011 • Tel: 01530 2440692

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

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STREET FAIR & CEILIDH

25th June 2011 • Markfield Road, Groby12 NOON TIL 8PM • Ceilidh will start at 5pm

In June, your Lucky Programme can be obtained from various shops in the village for £1

Prizes include:Hamper donated by SainsburyCathy Stephens £50 voucher

Lunch for a family of 4 at The Old Thatched Inn, Stanton-u-BardonAll Blacks Official World Cup Rugby shirt

Just a sample of attractions at the Fair:Climbing wall • Laser Quest • bouncy Castles

Face Painters • roundabout • bungie run

Morris Dancers • Stilt Walker • Live Ceilidh band

PLuS over 35 various stallsFurther details for stalls can be obtained from

0116 287 6724 or 01530 243469

[email protected]@aol.com

Visit the website at www.grobyonline.tk

3Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JUNE 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.

MP Stephen Dorrell visits telecoms firm to learn about patient communication IN MAy, the rt. Hon Stephen Dorrell MP visited the offices of Voice Connect in Groby to learn more about how the company is working with GPs to improve patient access and reduce call congestion. The system, known as Patient

Partner, is installed in over 800 GP practices across the UK. The company’s board members

met with Mr Dorrell during his 90 minute tour of the premises. Voice Connect MD Stefan olsberg was delighted to meet with the MP and have the opportunity to discuss the Government’s health plans. “Mr Dorrell was able to tell us about his personal experiences of booking doctors’ appointments. He seemed genuinely impressed at the time and cost savings that Patient Partner can offer GPs,” said Mr Olsberg. “He was clearly aware of the issues surrounding both small businesses and the health sector and spoke with a refreshing honesty about both.” Elected as Chair of the Health

Select Committee in 2010, Mr Dorrell commented “Voice Connect is an interesting example of a

company that is solving a very real problem; in their case problems around booking GP appointments by using technology. During our meeting I learned a great deal about the lengths that they have gone to in working with clinical databases, practice managers and patients. The result is that they appear to have created a product that saves money for practice

managers and enhances the service available to patients.”Voice Connect celebrated its 20th

year in business earlier in 2011. The company also works with universities, police forces and local authorities across the UK. Most recently, the company has started developing mobile phone apps as well as continuing to extend its larger scale telecoms products.

• Meet Crime-writer Frances Fyfield Snibston Sat 18 Jun, 2-4pm. 01530 278444. Be inspired by multi award-winning crime writer Frances Fyfield and discover the secrets to great story-telling. Why not have a ‘stab’ at it yourself! Includes tea and coffee. £3.50.

The Rt.Hon.Stephen Dorrell MP (left) met Stefan Olsberg, MD of Voice Connect

Glenfield Millennium Green Plant SaletHE DAy of the Plant Sale (May 28th) dawned dull, overcast and showery. The first time we haven’t had sunshine for the last few years. We obviously

shouldn’t have chosen a Bank Holiday weekend! There were plants in abundance, more varieties than ever before, and people turned up as usual in spite of the colder weather.A big ‘Thank-you’ to everyone who supported our efforts by contributing

plants for us to sell or coming to buy them on the morning. Just over £444 was raised for our funds. We are continuing to sell the remaining plants so if you were away on the day you can phone 0116 2991868 to see what we have left. Some varieties may still be available at our Garden Party which is being held on Saturday July 16th from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Once again we are pleased to be offered the use of the garden at 60 Overdale Avenue – the home of David and Joan Fawkes. The entrance fee is being ‘held’ at £2.50 which includes refreshments and entry to a Prize Draw. Accompanied children are admitted free of charge. We look forward to seeing you there.

Rounders in the parkrouNDErS has always been a popular sport with youngsters, so the borough Council’s Active together team are hoping to improve its popularity amongst adults this summer.Working with Rounders England, the team are planning to organise casual

‘pay and play’ sessions and would like to hear from any adults who are interested in taking part. The sessions would take place from the end of July onwards and would be non-competitive.The team are looking for individuals, groups of friends, couples or work

colleagues who may be interested to contact Kerry on 01455 255875 or alternatively email: [email protected].

Groby & Field Head Spotlight PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9ZT

Contact Mike or Susan on 01530-244069

Email us at: [email protected]

Visit the website at www.grobyspotlight.co.uk

3,500 copies distributed 11 times a year (no issue

in July) to homes and businesses in Groby, Field Head and The Brantings.

Composed and published in the Parish of Groby &

Field Head.

Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press.

The Spotlight is a monthly compilation of articles, press

releases, events, general items of interest and news items

submitted to us by local residents, groups, associations, sports clubs

and local authorities.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily

those of the Spotlight Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication

does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims,

methods or policies. Groby & Field Head Spotlight 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.

Groby & Field Head Spotlight reserves the right to amend,

shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted

for publication. All contents ©

Groby & Field Head Spotlight. None of the articles contained in

this magazine are to be reproduced in any way without first obtaining

written consent from Groby & Field Head Spotlight.

NEXT ISSUE OUT Saturday 13th August Advert Deadline:

Saturday 23rd July

TO ADVERTISE: Call 01530 244069

Email: [email protected]

Ad rates: page 26


I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve immortality through not dying.

Groby Street Fair & CeilidhSaturday 25th June 2011

Kevin burke - throughout the day with stilts, magic and illusion

12.00 noon royal Scottish Country Dance Society 12.30pm Stanley opera1.00pm Dave & Julia (Country)1.15pm Goldstein (Punk Rock)

•

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Climbing Wall

Police Display - Morris Minor Police Car - Mini Scenes of Crime room - Neighbourhod Watch

The Greys of Groby - ‘Name the Meerkat’

Groby Guides - Craft Sales & Promotion of Guiding

Scouts Games

Keith Rose - Paintings of Natural History/Landscapes

Air Ambulance - DLRAA Merchandise & Awareness Raising

M McDiarmid - Quilted Crafts

Allotment& Garden Society - Garden to Table

Carolyn Joseph - Body Shop@HomeConsultant

Meowsoup - Vintage style bags, brooches etc

Steves Ices

Garden Green - Fancy Garden Pots,etc

Karens Kards - Handmade Cards

Lucky Programmes - Display of prizes

Pop Corn & Candy Floss

Bouncy Castles

MHA Housing Association - Crafts & £1 gifts

GrobyNursery/Playgroup - Cakes, White Elephant Stall & Books

Elaine Frampton - Handmade Jewellery

St John’s Ambulance - First Aid & Lost Children - Hot Dogs & Burgers - New Pottery

Churches Together in Groby (CTG) - Displays - Games/ Face Painting / Pop - Fair Trade

Vintage Cars

Lisa Clarridge - Floral Arts&Crafts

Laura Cairns & Daniel Cowlam Recycled Homemade Items

M Fisher - Hand Painted Barge-Ware

Pam Poole - Home Made Cakes & Cookies

Beadelicious Jewellery, Phone Charms, etc

Peter Boat - Anglo Saxon Heritage

Mike Pratt - Paintings

RNLI - Souvenirs & Information

Your Cut Out & Keep Guide to the Event

Stalls and activities

Where To Find The Latest Informationyou can access the Street Fair

web pages in 3 waysthe easiest is to Google ‘grobystreetfair’ as one word and click on the link

or go to www.grobyonline.tk and follow the link from the Home Page

or go to www.grobyonline.co.uk and follow the links

•

•

•

Entertainment for everyone

Chris Atkinson - Handicrafts

Lorraine Turnpenny - Foreverliving Products (Aloe Vera)

Rebecca Bridges - Cards, Giftwrap & Stationery

Paul & Gill Briggs - Pots & Table Linen

Bungee Run

Richard & Sheila - Handmade Goods & Chocolates

Save Our Socks - Sock Toys

County Markets - Cakes Preserves & Plants

Donington Le Heath - Candles Pot Pourri & Lavender

Asha Lewis - Scentsy Consultant

Hog Roast

Bryan Lissaman - Turned Wooden Items

N Bodycote - LOROS Support Group.Children’s Games

Mrs Pinnick - Second - Hand Toys

Emma Peek - Face Painting

Mr & Mrs Yarwood - Bric A Brac (Mablethorpe Childrens Home)

Roundabout - Swing Boats - Chair-a-Planes

1.30pm Soar Valley Music Centre (Big band music)

2.15pm Courtney King (Mod)

2.30pm James Colledge2.45pm Aynsley Lister3.00pm the Zufflers5.00pm to 8.00pm Ceilidh with Malarkey and caller

•

•

•

•••


I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.

What you need to know about the Groby Street Fair & Ceilidh

Norman Griffiths pulls together the essential informationtHE Groby Street Fair & Ceilidh will be opened at 12 noon by Aynsley Lister on Saturday 25th June and will run until 8pm. the day is being organised by local residents and has no connection with the Parish Council or local churches.

the Street Fair will run until 8pm.the lazer, climbing wall and bungie will run to 5pmthe children’s rides will run to 8pmthe ceildih will run from 5 to 8pm with breaks

There will be plenty of seating along the road, teas on the lawn, ice creams, hog roast and entertainment. Toilets will be available. The Stamford Arms will also be open as normal for refreshments and light lunches.

ParkingThere will be no dedicated parking sites for visitors other than stallholders and entertainers and so there will only be on street parking. Local residents are asked to walk to the Fair or use the local bus service if at all possible.

Markfield Road closureMarkfield Road from Ratby Road to the A50 intersection will be closed to ALL through traffic from 7am until midnight, but access will be available at all times for emergency vehicles. All residents have been notified of special arrangements made for their parking . Details of the bus diversion will not be available until the County

••

••

Council Highways department have finalised the road closure order. Although the 29 service to Coalville normally travels along Markfield Road the new 26 route to Coalville will probably be unaffected as it turns on to Ratby Road at the Stamford Arms. The latest information about the road closure will be available on www.grobyonline.tk and you can go straight to the Street Fair pages by Googling grobystreetfair as one word.

Flowers at the Church The church will be holding a flower display entitled ‘Childhood Memories and Pastimes in Flowers’ on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday. As those less able bodied will not be able to park near the church they will be able to attend on another day.

Lucky number programmesThese are now available in local shops including Budgen’s, Wilson’s, Deja Vue, Chaplin’s, and Henson’s and Animal Magic at Lawnwood Road. Prizes include a Hamper supplied by Sainsbury’s, an All Blacks official World Cup Rugby Shirt, Sunday lunch for a family of 4 at The Old Thatch Inn at Stanton-under-Bardon, a £50 voucher from Cathy Stephens, and many other prizes.

QUESTION

Why should you spend £1 on a Lucky Programme?The Chair of the Street Fair Committee explains

tHErE is no admission charge to the Street

Fair and all the musical entertainment and the Ceilidh is free. We’ve given both the

Spotlight and www.grobyonline.tk the full list of entertainers and stallholders so that you can plan your day. The Lucky Programmes are part of our fundraising effort and are numbered to give you a chance to win one of the great prizes which have been donated to the prize draw. You can buy them in advance or on the day. We want everyone to have a great time at the Street Fair and Ceilidh and look forward to seeing you all.

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I have great faith in fools; my friends call it self-confidence.

Martinshaw Primary School Celebrates Green Britain DayWEDNESDAy 18th May 2011 was designated ‘Green britain Day’. therefore, pupils at Martinshaw Primary School were encouraged to think about ways in which they could do something to make a difference to their environment. A model of a Martinshaw child was made and the

children were asked to help him/her to become green. They produced speech bubbles, wrote down all the ideas and then displayed them around the School Hall. Martinshaw has long established eco-teams from every

class who collect materials such as paper, plastics and fruit peel for recycling/composting and ensure everyone saves energy. As a reward for being the leading ‘eco’ class, a few weeks ago year 4 children were invited to visit ‘Beacon Energy’, a sustainable energy company based near Loughborough. Through involvement with the company, a parent was also able to loan the school both a Wind Turbine and a Solar Panel which, as well as the potential to generate power, generated great interest for the children! During the day anyone who came into the school and

could answer a question on saving energy or recycling etc. were given a ‘Team Green Britain’ badge. I proudly display mine, on my jacket, at the moment.

Owen (Lol) Lawrence

Play football for your village!Groby Juniors FC Under 11’s, 11-a-Side, Season 2011/12We are recruiting footballers to all positions for next season. If you are interested in finding out

more, and you or your child are currently in Year 5 at school, please call Dave Ison on 07949 973695.

Diary Date

Elizabeth Woodville Summer FairDoN’t MISS the Elizabeth Woodville School Summer Fair!It takes place on Saturday 18th

June from 11:00am until 1:30pm.

�Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JUNE 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore and you sleep alone.

Charity Fundraiser

BIG FAMILY FUN DAY

Saturday 23rd July12 Noon till Late

Free EntryEntertainments Galore

for all the family.A Tug 0f War Truck-Pull,Kids Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Juggling & lots more being organised. Live Bands including

‘Kicking Habits’The Local Fire Brigade

will be joining in the party.

Outdoor B.B.Q.at The Brant Inn,

Leicester Road, Groby LE6 0DU.

www.thebrantinn.comt: 0116 287 2703.

FOOTBALL RETURNS TO QUARRY PARKtHE PubLIC seating in the Council Chamber at the June meeting of the Parish Council was fuller than normal as a group of footballers attended to make the case for bringing back adult football to the village. They needed a quick decision

from the Council in order to make plans for the upcoming season and were pleased to hear members approve a proposal to grant a permit for them to play at Quarry Park, subject to the normal terms and conditions. Normally such use would require consultation with near neighbours before granting a permit, but on this occasion this was not considered necessary as there are no homes immediately adjacent to the proposed pitch. The players made the point that ideally changing facilities and showers were desirable and were interested to hear that if the plan for a community building at Quarry Park comes to fruition these could probably be incorporated. The field has been dogged by drainage problems in the past but the Council

promised to use it’s best endeavours to improve the drainage by undertaking works which will not encroach on the playing area.

Norman Griffiths

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JUNE 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069�

Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties.

Frankie – the next exciting instalment!I’VE bEEN worried for a while about Frankie, the semi-feral cat who has been raiding my cats’ food for the last three years. He must have some moral sense; he knows he is doing

wrong. When caught in the act he promptly skedaddles and I have never got near enough to touch him. His original owners are now running an Indian restaurant on Crete so I was relieved after Christmas to see him wearing a red collar. Someone, I thought, must have adopted him, although his marauding habits didn’t change; and for a young cat his gait looked uncomfortable, almost arthritic.Then last

week, he staggered in one evening and settled down on a small sofa for half an hour, never closing his eyes and keeping me under close observation. As usual, he shot off through the cat-flap when I tried to approach him. A few nights later, he arrived just before I went to bed, tucked himself under a plant stand in my dining room and went to sleep. He was still there in the morning. In the bright light of day, I could see the matted state of his fur and a large repellent tick on the back of his neck, just above the red collar. As I was expecting my baby grand-daughter and her extremely hygiene-conscious Mum any minute, I hastily ejected him. There was a lot of hissing and spitting. Some of it from Frankie.At suppertime, he was back. Not interested in food, he put

himself to bed in Chrissie’s basket (Chrissie is my cat, not my grand-daughter) and went to sleep. By now it was clear that he was ill or injured and for some reason he had decided that it was my responsibility to do something about it. When Holly was safely in bed, I locked the cat flap, put on a pair of thick gardening gloves and lured him out of the basket with a bowl of food which I hoped would distract him while I checked him for injuries. As I gingerly examined him, I found to my horror that the

red collar no longer circled his neck. Instead, it bit hard into one side of his neck, across his chest and round under one of his front legs, cutting deep into his fur. Had he been trying to get it off or had it caught on something? Surely no-one would have done this to him deliberately. A quick snip with the kitchen scissors was all it took. The collar came off, bringing with it large amounts of fur and Frankie’s torment was over. Then he went to sit behind the downstairs loo for a bit.

Using the loo as a useful defence, I managed to apply tick and flea treatment to the back of his neck and even to brush his fur. I saw him next morning when I took Holly for a walk. He

was trotting briskly down the street. Totally ignored me. Typical male. He’ll be back when he’s hungry.

Lindy Hardcastle

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GE’s high energy team takes Cycle Challenge trophy

tHE WINNErS of a three-week challenge to get more people cycling in the city and county have been announced. People from

90 organisations took part in the competition, which saw 1,470 participants log 10,651 cycle trips. A key target has been to encourage ‘non-cyclists’ to take up cycling, and 231 participants had not cycled for at least a year prior to the Challenge. A total of 149,294km

were cycled over the three week Challenge. 2,877,000 calories were burnt during the Challenge period – the equivalent of burning off 10,462 Magnum ice creams! Nearly 8,000 of the trips logged were

for reasons other than leisure, saving a potential 18,915 kg of CO2 emissions compared with driving the same distance. The winning organisations were those

that got the highest percentage of their total workforce to cycle for at least 10 minutes between 9 and 29 May. The top teams in each category were: • GE Energy Services (500+ staff

category) • Pick Everard (200-499 staff) • Ashmount School (50-199 staff) • Biomedical Research Unit, University

Hospitals of Leicester (20-49 staff) • Senior Management Team

– Regeneration, Highways & Transport; Leicester City Council (7-19 staff) • Websters Cycles (3-6 staff) Ian Nutt, manufacturing manager at

GE Lighting, said: “The Cycle Challenge has been a great success here with more than ten per cent of our workforce riding at some point during the 3 weeks. Gentle

bribery and the offer of free breakfasts seem to have worked! “We’re very keen to promote the health of

our workers and the challenge fitted nicely with our HealthAhead campaign to support people that want to eat more healthily, give up tobacco, manage their stress levels and get more physical activity. “Its very satisfying to see staff still riding

now that they have seen the benefits the benefits of riding to work on their wallets and their waistlines.” Winners’ prizes include; cinema tickets,

Summer Sundae Weekender tickets, hybrid bikes and John Lewis goodie bags. Spot prizes were awarded throughout the

Cycle Challenge, with city centre bar and restaurant The Almanack, in Highcross, offering free morning coffee to cyclists. The Leicester Shire Cycle Challenge is run

by: Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, the cyclists’ organisation CTC, and Challenge for Change.

Ian Nutt (left) from GE Energy with Leicester City Council’s Deputy City Mayor Rory Palmer.Photo courtesy of Iain Jaques (Photofinale)


Money is flat and meant to be piled up. – Scottish Proverb

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The truth is a precious commodity. That’s why I use it so sparingly.

Completely ridiculous hocus-pocus item

Your geographic centre of gravity - and what it could mean ...IN SCHooL, we were all taught that the centre of gravity is an imaginary point in a body of matter where the total weight of the body may be thought to be concentrated.

I have often wondered whether this principle - of a central point of concentration - could be applied to other systems.

What if your very EXISTENCE could be concentrated at some point in space, which would be the average location of your physical body throughout your life?

As an example, say you were born and raised in Groby, spent three years at University in Edinburgh, lived for 10 years in Lincoln and then spent the next 25 years in Bristol, your GCoG would be located at a point close to the A34 Stratford Road in Solihull - a place where you may never have visited. What significance would this location have for you? You have been ‘orbiting’ it for your entire life and your average physical movement could be represented by a post knocked into the ground alongside this particular road in Solihull. Would you experience any strange sensations? Would you have a feeling of deja vu? Would your life flash before you?

Now you can find out.

If you visit this website - www.geomidpoint.com - and enter the places where you’ve spent significant periods of your life, along with the length of time you’ve spent at each place, the Geographic Midpoint Calulator will find your personal centre of gravity - the geographical average location for all of the places you have lived in.

When you’ve found it, take a trip there and let us know via the Spotlight whether you experience anything unusual.

The Hocus Pocus Team

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Visit our Large Showroom and see our extensive range of Suites, Beds, Bedroom & Dining Furniture, Manual, Lift and Rise Recliner Chairs and Sofa Beds - all on display

Dawsons Lane, (off The Common) Barwell Near Hinckley, Leics • Tel: 01455 850391Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm • Closed Sunday

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Dawsons Lane, (off The Common) Barwell, Near Hinckley. Tel: 01455 850391Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm.

thursday June 23 William Morris &

England’s Silk road Mr. David Ray

thursday July 28 Wills & their use in

Family History Mr. Trevor Parr

thursday August 25 the Gunpowder Plot

Mrs. Sally Henshaw

Groby Village Society~ Preservation ~ ~ Conservation ~

~ Communal Interests ~

Meetings are held at Groby Village Hall Starting at

7.30pm. For Further Details Contact Hon. Secretary Mr. P. Castell

tel. 0116 287 9842e-mail:- groby.villagesociety@

tiscali.co.uk Non Members are Welcome

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A GROBY PARISH COUNCILLOR?

IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Following the recent call for nominations for a Parish Councillor, only 13 people applied for a position on Groby Parish Council. Therefore, there are 3 vacancies for a Parish Councillor for the next four years. The Council can co-opt a Councillor from those residents who would be interested in becoming a Councillor. If you are interested in becoming a Councillor please can you submit a short résumé stating:

Why are you interested in becoming a Parish Councillor?

Why and how do you want to serve the local community?

Do you have any particular skills or interests? These could be as varied as

knowledge of planning, highways, finance, insurance, administration, engineering, safety, community service e.g. voluntary work, youth work or environmental and wildlife matters.

The Council is very concerned to have some fresh views - do you have

thoughts on how you would like to see things in the Parish improved or done differently?

Parish Council work can be personally very rewarding but largely low

profile. The time commitment is not onerous overall, but the work can occupy quite a lot of time if a particular issue needs to be addressed. Are you able to give high priority to Parish Council work when necessary?

The Council meets once a month for its main meeting at 7pm. Apart from

sickness, attendance is expected at these meetings. Are you able to give this commitment?

If you have any questions please telephone either

County Councillor Rob Fraser, Chairman, on 01530 244175 or

Parish Clerk, Beverley Greenwood on 0116 2876985

They will be happy to speak to you or arrange a meeting with you if necessary.

Please forward your application in writing to

Clerk to the Council, Groby Parish Council, Parish Council Offices, Village Hall,

Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0DQ

Closing date for applications is 12 noon Monday 27th June 2011.

All applicants will be invited to attend a specially convened

Parish Council Co-option Meeting on Monday 11th July 2011.


I guess traffic in the city is improving a little. Yesterday, I drove clear across town and only had to shave twice.

Martinshaw’s Roald Dahl Exhibition at

Groby Library

oN tHurSDAy 5th May 2011, as part of their Creative Curriculem, years 5 and 6 of Martinshaw Primary School hosted a special private opening at Groby Library in order to share work based on their latest Literacy theme; the author roald Dahl. The students exhibited examples

of their own written work including: diary writing, reports, biographies, persausive writing and instructional texts. A number of models and art works based on Roald Dahl’s books were displayed around the library.That evening year 5 students

performed one of their own plays inspired by Dahl’s book “The Twits” In all over 118 people attended

the evening. Ms Catherine Overton, the library development officer, later commented how pleased she was by the uptake of new library members. Year 5 and 6 teachers, Miss Pursey and Mrs Thurlow, were delighted with all

the support that made this a highly successful event.

Owen (Lol) Lawrence

An evening of Art raises funds for local CharitytHE Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is delighted that Leicestershire’s famous sculptor, John Sydney Carter FrbS has generously agreed to open his house in South Leicestershire to help raise funds for this wonderful charity. Alan Norman, Chief Executive of the Foundation said “We are thrilled

and very grateful for John’s support. This is a unique opportunity to meet a famous sculptor in his own home, view a wide variety of amazing sculptures and talk to John about his passion, inspiration and creative journey” The event will be held on Wednesday 3rd August and starts at 7.00 p.m.

with light refreshments and wine. Tickets for this event cost £20 and are very limited. For tickets & further information please contact the

administration team at the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation on: 01530 244914 or email [email protected]


I used to find him boring until I stopped listening.

Groby Explorers High Adventure High Score

AFtEr months of planning, preparation, practice and patience, the Groby Explorers entered a team for the annual High Adventure Hill Walking Competition for Leicestershire Explorers. At 7pm on Friday 11th March, two coaches left Leicestershire for an

unknown destination. Our team of Sam Ford, Alex bennet, Frank Greally and James Hopewell, led by Harriet Jordan, were on one of the coaches which arrived at Pateley Bridge near Harrogate in Yorkshire at 10.30pm.Team tents were promptly pitched and the team tried to get some sleep

before their 7.15am alarm call the next morning. After getting their kit packed, it was off for Breakfast, a kit check, a briefing from the Mountain Staff and then issued with maps and grid references – they were off. They had to plot the points on the map and decide the best route to take

to get as many points as possible and ensure they arrived at the overnight camp within the 8 hours or they would lose points. The kit they carried allowed them to be self sufficient on the mountains and to remain dry and warm with food.

The second day was similar but also included some challenges to complete for additional points – this time it was 5 hours of walking.Such an event cannot happen without the help of our own Mountain Staff,

which included Alastair Paterson (Groby Explorer Leader), who spend their time monitoring the competition area and ensure everybody’s safety.A total of 24 teams entered and Groby Explorers came an excellent 5th

place overall.

Sean Williams, Assistant Explorer Scout Leader

CONTACT US FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION Phone: 0116 262 3202 Fax: 0116 261 9186 [email protected] www.henstocks.co.uk

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Jack and Jill did it for the insurance.

May 15th was yet again a triumphant day for Leicester Junior rowing team.Following the huge success of the Leicester Regatta in April,

the youngest members of the team left the older crews hard at work studying for exams, whilst they stepped up to the challenge in Shrewsbury.Returning with 3 great wins and many close finishes were:

Women’s J15 Quad Margot, Ola, Sophie and Molly coxed by Ed. Women’s J15 single Ola and Women’s J13 Quad Jenny, Amy,Gemma and Isobel coxed by Oliver Talbot (Groby).

Forthcoming events in June for the team are Stoke,Holme Pier Point and Peterborough.

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T: 0775 192 5247

For more informationVisit:

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The Government is planning to give citizens more rights to decide what is built in their communities, including housing, local shops and community facilities.

Proposals for the Community Right to Build are currently before Parliament as part of the neighbourhood planning framework in the Localism Bill. If the Bill becomes law any successful proposal will need to be:

from a community group such as a community interest company or a community land trust, etc

independently assessed to see whether the proposals meet specific key criteria; and

• supported by more than half of the community that vote in a referendum.

If you’re interested in a community-led development you should talk to your neighbours to get an idea about what sort of development the whole community would want to see. You may also want to talk to your local council, housing association or other community groups. You may also find it useful to get advice from people who already have experience of taking forward community-led schemes.

To find out more about the Community Right to Build visit: www.communities.gov.uk/righttobuildfor further information.

If your community group is interested in using the Community Right to Build and wants to be kept in touch, tell us about your plans at:

[email protected]

For information on community led developments, visit:

Community Land Trust Network – www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk

Locality – www.locality.org.uk

UK Cohousing Network – www.cohousing.org.uk

Action with Communities in Rural England – www.acre.org.uk/our-work/community-led-planning

Confederation of Co-operative Housing – www.cch.coop

© Crown Copyright 2011. Copyright in the content, design and typographic arrangement rests with the Crown

Community

Right to Build

An Opportunity in the Making

More success for Leicester Junior Rowing Team

The successful Leicester Juniors Rowing Team show off their trophies.

SYSTON TOWN JUNIORS F.C. FEMALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WANTEDSyston Town are a friendly chartered standard club and are currently looking for

new female U16 players for season 2011/2012 (current year 9 & year 10 girls)

MANAGER/COACHESManagers/Coaches are CRB Checked and hold minimum FA Level 1 qualification.

Some Coaches hold FA Level 2/3/UEFA-B. Youth Module 1 & 2 and Level 2 Goalkeeping qualifications

The team trains Thursdays (6:30 – 8pm) at Wreake Valley Community College, Parkstone Road, Syston, LE7 1LY

For more details contact:Rich Gunn (Girls U16’s & Girls Academy Coach)

Mobile 07884 117116 www.systontownjuniorsfc.co.uk


When I was young, I could remember anything. Whether it happened or not.

National Trust Leicester Association NEWSFoLLoWING the disrupted opening at Calke Abbey last December, due to the bad weather, the Easter and May bank Holiday weeks broke all records for visitor numbers, recruitment and catering & retail sales. With the gardens now open 7 days a week until October and a

number of small additions to visitor enjoyment now in place the General Manager hopes that the trend will continue.There are more mown paths in the Kitchen Garden and the Orangery

has been replanted with ferns after the winter losses. The garden team are now working weekends on a rota system to ensure that there is someone for visitors to talk to and the first batch of Calke Honey was extracted in late May.In the house the new format guided Conservation tours have received

excellent feedback from visitors. They run at 11.00am every day the house is open, just book a place at Visitor Reception. Also the NT conservation joiner, Ray Steven, has instigated some very sensitive and technical joinery improvements to the designated fire doors. Due to his expertise many historic doors have been upgraded with smoke and fire seals and improved closer mechanisms in a way that does not affect their historic appearance. If you are not looking you will not spot them. In many rooms there is also a small exhibition of items from the House Collection that are not usually on show and these displays are being changed on a regular basis.Special events at Calke Abbey over the next two months include a

Fine Food Fair on Sunday 10 July, “Hidden Acoustics”, a concert in the Riding School by violinist Ruth Palmer on Saturday 16 July and Calke’s Alive Archaeology week on Sunday 24 July.For more information on the NT Leicester Association and its Talks

Service call 0116 2229133.

Alan Tyler Chairman, NT Leicester Association

LETTERQuarry Park would make a good car parkI read with interest the letter in mid May edition of Spotlight with the suggestion of using part of Quarry Park for an extra car park for GE Sensing, a suggestion worth consideration. We shall have parking restrictions in Groby one day and as the writer

correctly assumed it will push the problem elsewhere in the village. GE employees not residents or shoppers will take up the all day parking that will be available, The money from the lease of the land would be of benefit to the village.

We have got GE in the village whether we like it or not so the parking problem has to be addressed.

W John Thornton, Groby


Gossip: The art of saying nothing while leaving nothing unsaid.

Churches Together in Groby

Urban Saints During term time, held at the URC chapel: games, friends, crafts and a Christian basis to discussions. - for 5’s to 14’s on Mon evenings at 3.45pm, 6.30pm, 7.45pm - for 15-18’s on Wed evenings at 7.30pm - for 15-18’s o Fri at 7.30pm More details on the church websites

Fair Cuppa: an opportunity to meet with friends at the village hall. Please note the change of time. All tea/coffee is fairtrade

Every Thursday, 10.30—12noon.

For all Sunday services: please see our websites and church magazines: St. Philip and St. James

www.bradgateteam.org.uk Revd. Louise Corke 231 3090 United Reformed Church

www.grobyurc.com Mrs Norma Whittaker 287 6606 Children/Youth Worker

Deb Goodhead 07730 596309

Catch Play, craft, story & chat for pre-school children with a parent/carer. Every Friday in term time, 9.30 – 11.30am, at the URC.

Groby WI Monthly News from Margaret Gamble WE PLAyED the first heat of the annual skittles competition. It was between Markfield and

ourselves. The good news is that we won all three rounds. The bad news is that we may be on our way to retaining the “egg cup” we won last year. It is sitting on my windowsill as I type this, but it doesn’t particularly inspire me. Actually it was a great evening, a good laugh, not much in the way of skill. I can emphatically (“emfatically” in WI lingo) say we enjoyed a lovely pub supper, faggots, quiche with lots of cheese, potato pie and chips - a real blow out. The following Saturday was

the Plant Sale at the Village Hall. This event is to raise funds for the Annual Village Show on 20th August, so get your entries ready. The Garden Society had a hall overflowing with flowers and vegetable plants and hanging baskets. For our part we provided the refreshments with plenty of home made, of course, cakes and drinks. The café, I am pleased to say, was really busy, likewise the Hall with loads of plant hunters, a very successful morning. Talking of shows, we shall also

be baking for the Village Street Party which is being held on 25th June. There are a lot of talented folk in Groby, some actually can

bake and do gardening! We had another theatre visit,

this time to see Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn at the Curve. Luckily on my second visit to this venue, we were in the stalls. The first time, my friend and I went round the inside nearly twice to find the door to our particular set of stairs, no wonder they call it the “Curve”! Everyone said they enjoyed it, especially the middle Act. This poor woman obviously drunk, very depressed and was trying to kill herself. After scribbling a suicide note, she tried to hang herself from the ceiling

light. In comes a chap, assumes she’s trying to change the bulb and inadvertantly rescues her. At the same time, someone else grabs the note to write on. She tried again, this time to gas herself, another well meaning friend thinks she wants her oven cleaning. Another note and another attempt, this time she goes to the sink to get a glass of water to take an overdose, of course yet again a kind friend thinks she trying to unblock the sink. She eventually gives up, lies on the table and for

MARKFIELD OPEN GARDENS

Organised by Markfield WI and Trinity Methodist Church

18th June:11am-5p.m19th June:12noon-5p.m.

20 Gardens open around the village.

Admission by programme - Adults £3 - accompanied children free. Programmes available from The

Methodist Church, The Scout Hut or the Gardens

Lunches, Teas and refreshments available.

Sue Gammon, on behalf of the Organising Committee

Scenes from Absurd Person Singular at Leicester’s CURVE Theatre

• Big Book SaleCoalville Library Wed 22 Jun

- Mon 27 Jun, usual opening times. 0116 305 3565. Surplus books, CDs and DVDs will be on sale at discounted prices daily. Bag of books for £1.

• Paranormal Night Snibston Fri 24 Jun, 8pm-1am.

01530 278444. Guided tour of the site looking for evidence of paranormal activity. Over 18s. Pre-booking essential. £35. Refreshments included.

1�Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JUNE 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Groby WI Monthly News from Margaret Gamble the first time in this Act opens her mouth only to sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, an hilarious scene.It was our Resolutions meeting

this month, there were two. The first was ‘Mega’ Farms’, a very difficult one. On the one hand most of our small farms are struggling, giving up or just doing arable. This is because what the supermarkets etc pay doesn’t cover anywhere near production costs. Hence, more and more of our meat, milk, vegetables etc are imported. On the otherhand large “mega” farms can produce enough to make it pay. Of course ethics come into this. Most of us want to support our small farmers who usually have good animal welfare but are we prepared to pay the higher cost? As you can imagine there was quite a debate. In the end it was carried, as we need more food to feed a growing population but I am sure the vote was carried with a heavy heart. The second Resolution was a

different cup of tea, the closing of libraries. I am happy to say that it was passed unanimously to support the fight to keep them open.After the serious stuff we had

Geoff Smith the fuchsias expert. He began by saying that he was not dead, that was the other Geoff Smith. Now I only go into the garden to hang the washing out but even I found myself interested and very entertained by him. He gave loads of hints which I passed on to my husband albeit he sometimes said, “I think you have got that bit wrong”. Anyway for what it’s worth, (I hope the Garden Society don’t think I’m trying to out do them) here’s a few of his tips. As fuchsias mostly come from Mexico and South America, where they live on the tree line in a cloudy climate, it means, the way I see it, they don’t like getting their feet wet. Geoff covers his cuttings sometimes with plastic bottles which have had the bottoms cut off. If he has, say, 10 in one pot which root, he keeps them together and transfers them to the pot he wants to display them in, that means you have a good display, don’t spread them around. Always label them. He reckons gardeners should have their thumbs cut off, most people are too heavy handed and compact cuttings too much. Feeding; measure out as directed on the container the

required amount. Do not give them, even though the directions say feed once a week, the whole amount in one go. If possible give them a little of the measured amount daily. As he said it’s like a Sunday dinner, you have a good feed but then spend the rest of the day just lazing out. He then got onto bugs. I didn’t

know vine weevils are female (trust them) and don’t need a fella (parthenogenesis – I surprise myself sometimes). His best hint was to get three different bug killers, use one for a week, change the next week and so on. He said bugs soon become accustomed to the same one. Did you know ladies are better

at propagating because we have hormones in our fingers and that’s from an expert. By the way to get classed as “hardy” a plant has to spend three winters at Harlow Carr, no doubt gardeners know all this but it’s news to me. Apologies to everyone and my husband if I have got things wrong yet again. Our June meeting is a talk on the

Concordia theatre in Hinckley given by Judy Peatfield. So come along on Thursday l6th June at 7.30p.m. to hear her at the Village Hall.

Margaret Gamble

• National Garden Scheme Open Day Donington le Heath Manor

House Sat 2 Jul, 11am-4pm. 01530 831259. Celebrating the admission of the Manor House’s period style gardens, into the National Garden Scheme, this event explores the gardens in detail with experts from the past and present on hand. Children’s craft activities too. £2.50.


I’d like to see things your way, but I’m looking in another direction.

Musical Allsorts served up at the Street FairNorman Griffiths looks at the music on offer

there’ll be music for everyone at Groby’s Street Fair and Ceilidh on June 25th ranging from country dancing through opera, big band sounds, mainstream pop to blues and rock. Within a few days of the appeal

for entertainers being published in the Spotlight last month the organisers found that not only had all the available slots been filled but that they had received a call from Groby’s own Aynsley Lister, for some years an acclaimed blues and rock performer.“It was my Dad who read the

article in the Spotlight and brought it to me to read,” explained Aynsley. “Playing at this type of event isn’t something I would ever normally do, it’s a complete one-off because it’s where I’m from and I’m happy to support local events. I’ve never actually played in Groby before!” Aynsley will be performing in a 15 minute slot at 2.45 pm.At the other end of the spectrum

there’ll be Country Dancing and Opera for an hour when the Street Fair opens at noon. The royal Scottish Country Dance Society will be performing first. The main aim of the Society is social and to promote the traditions of Scottish Country Dancing and Music in a happy atmosphere. They have ten fully qualified teachers and run four graded classes every week at the

Holy Cross Centre on Wellington Street. Anyone who is tempted to find out more after the Street Fair can attend free taster sessions on Tuesday 7 Sept at 1.30 pm and Thursday 9 Sept at 7.30 pm. And there’s no need to take a partner.Stanley opera, which follows at

12.30 pm, takes its name from its first musical director, Alec Stanley and is committed to bringing quality popular opera to a local stage. The first opera performed at the Concordia in Hinckley by a true opera company was The Marriage of Figaro in 1973.Shorter sessions with the country

sounds of Dave and Julia follow, then it’s punk rock with Goldstein, leading up to a session of Big Band favourites with the Soar Valley Music Centre. Singer Courtney King takes the stage at 2.15pm followed by James Colledge. James is a 17 year old singer songwriter from Field Head so hopefully he’ll perform some of his own material.After 15 minutes with Aynsley

Lister’s music the stage will be taken by local covers band the Zufflers. When they leave the

stage there’ll be a break to enable the Ceilidh band to set up their gear.Throughout the day Kevin burke

will be making his presence felt. You’ll have to be there to see what he’ll be getting up to – will it be stilt walking or classic stunts such as the Bed of Nails and the Ladder of Swords, or magic and illusion with lots of audience participation?

‘Malarkey’ booked to play for the CeilidhThe Ceilidh band ‘Malarkey’,

with Maca the Caller, will play from 5pm to 8pm, with short breaks to give dancers and the band a rest. You may feel that you lack the confidence to enjoy the ceilidh if you don’t know the dance steps, but many feel this is half the fun! The caller is there to help you

out, as Isobel explains. “You do not need to know any dance steps beforehand as your Caller “Maca” will explain the dance and walk it through first, and then “call it” with the music. The main emphasis is on having fun, rather than getting the steps right. So join us on June 25th, have a go and join in the fun.”


I hope that after I die, people will say of me: “That guy sure owed me a lot of money.”

Plug and Play – Zuffler’s style

PLuG AND PLAy is a term familiar to computer users – you plug a new device into your computer and it works first time. Well nearly always.

Who’s who in Malarkey...Nikki has travelled extensively

around the world playing fiddle with a multitude of bands and is described as a truly dazzling fiddler particularly in Irish and gypsy music styles. She has just completed her music degree at Coventry University where she specialized in classical and jazz fiddle.Steve plays mandola for the

jigs and reels and guitar for the songs and old time medleys. Steve is a singer and songwriter and has a reputation of being a huge influence on the folk scene here in Leicestershire, where the band is based.Isi plays accordion, guitar and

bodhran. She has worked with several ceilidh bands over the years and has now joined Steve and Nikki to complete the Malarkey Ceilidh Band where she plays bodhran and other percussion instruments to give that extra uplifting rhythm and beat to get your feet dancing.If you want to brush up on the

dances, or don’t have a clue about the steps this website might help http://reel-thing.co.uk/5.html

When you’re planning a Street Fair with entertainment the dilemmas start if the artists need amplification, and nowadays they invariably do. With a one off event nearly always isn’t acceptable. If you provide something will it be universally acceptable? Will some want to provide their own? Does this mean delays as amplifiers are plugged in and unplugged and removed? These were the issues facing Alan Johnston when organising the entertainment for the Street Fair, he needed something that would allow the artistes to literally plug in their instruments and play.Sometimes you struggle on and

sometimes your luck changes. And so it was for Allan when the Zufflers, and perhaps it should be said the they are a local band, offered to provide their equipment and expertise for the stage. The Zufflers will be taking responsibility for sound management on the day providing both instrument amplification and public address systems complete with sound consoles to ensure it is all nicely balanced. “They have been great,” said Alan, “and we owe them a great debt as their efforts will make a major contribution to the smooth running and success of the entertainment on the day.” The Zufflers seem to be well

experienced in this kind of work. When asked if they should be named individually they said no, it was a team effort. And although some members have played together for years they didn’t play their first gig as the Zufflers until they appeared at the Stamford Arms in May. If you missed them on that occasion make sure you catch them at 3 o’clock at the Street Fair as they won’t be back at the Stamford

for many months. They are a six piece band who can be found on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/the-Zufflers/107871485965739.


Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.

On why the clergy should avoid computersThe RectorySt. James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darrenthank you for the kind offer of your old computer, but I do not want it. I know you find it invaluable for keeping in touch with those doing

missionary work in remote parts of Africa, but even if I knew legions of clergy on that continent, I would have few pearls of wisdom to e-mail them and would not be overly interested in what they may be yearning to tell me.I know that our diocesan offices long for us all to have computers, so we

can receive at hourly intervals briefings, questionnaires, notifications of meetings and lists of irresistible training days, but I seem to have survived in ministry for the last 50 years without them and suspect I can do so for a little while longer.When pressed why I have still not purchased one, I tell everyone that I

am waiting for a few more weeks when I will be able to get an even better one. And as the wretched things continue to improve, there is every reason to defer a decision until they improve a little more. Surely, if I bought one today, I would regret it by tomorrow, as there would be a more advanced model out by then.Besides, once you get a computer, you will need to buy a telephone

connection, then a printer and spare ink cartridges and then equipment to protect you from viruses. The money can far more usefully be spent on claret.Being without a computer also saves me much aggravation. From what

I can gather, most computer owners spend significant parts of their lives trying to get their machine to do something it doggedly refuses to. Once they admit defeat, they then spend another significant chunk of time on what is called by naïve optimists a “helpline”, where someone in a remote part of the world who speaks a jargon only distantly related to English tries to tell you that whatever you did, it would have been better if you hadn’t.No, no-one over the age of 25 should be allowed to possess a computer.

On those rare occasions you really do need to use one, you should adopt my practice: visit your local primary school and get a 6 year-old to do the job – which they do with effortless efficiency, speed and accuracy.Your loving uncle,

Eustace

What makes you feel happy? Here are the top ten suggestions made to the office for National Statistics when it asked people about the feel-good factor: 1. Living near a park or a swimming pool; 2. Having access to

cultural services, such as a library; 3. Being healthy; 4. Having time to enjoy oneself and relax; 5. Living in a fair society; 6. Having enough money to do what one wants; 7. Freedom; 8. Being content with one’s situation; 9. People looking after each other; 10. The smell of a freshly opened jar of coffee. So far, more than 7,500 people have taken part in the online

debate at www.ons.gov.uk/well-being. The final results are expected this month. But as one contributor observed: ‘Happiness is a misnomer. It’s much better to be content than happy.’

Aynsley Lister – bright lights cast shadows

Norman Griffiths finds out why the blues singer is cycling for Cancer Research

WHEN Aynsley Lister was mentioned in the Spotlight last month it was probably a name that many

Groby residents were not familiar with, which is quite understandable. There are lots of folk who can’t name a footballer, an X factor winner, or

even the Foreign Secretary, let alone a blues and rock singer. Even if in his world he is a leading exponent of the music he plays.Groby’s Aynsley Lister has worked hard with his band to carve out a

musical niche for himself, and not just in this country. From now until the end of the year they are touring, playing mainly all over the UK apart from the last week in October when they are appearing in Austria and Switzerland. Aynsley also toured Europe in February, playing in Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland over 3 weeks. He always does a minimum of 2 European tours per year and as the Spotlight is being printed and delivered he’s playing the Ribs & Blues festival in Holland.It might sound an attractive lifestyle but the motorway is a merciless

master for musicians. On top of the stress of all the travelling, life goes on. Fans become friends and sometimes friendships are lost. This is the place that Aynsley is at now, mourning the loss of his friend Rod Thomson.“About 6 years ago Rod was diagnosed with throat cancer,” explained

Aynsley. “He went through a tough time and was only given a 70/30 chance to make it through. He pulled through though and in January this year he was given the 5 year all clear. We celebrated his health between close friends and in April, at his request, I played a gig at his local - The Hotel Deux, Nottingham.”“Rod was incredibly supportive of my music and a month later, as he

always did, Rod came to another of my gigs. He was full of life, laughing, joking, – he was in his element.” But life can be cruel and having beaten cancer Rod died of a heart attack the day after the gig. “Rod was unique, he believed in giving over receiving, would do anything

for anyone and particularly after over-coming cancer he lived life to live life,” he added. On Sunday 3rd July Aynsley and a group of friends will be cycling 180

miles, coast to coast from Morecambe to Bridlington in a ride dedicated to Rod. All the money raised will be donated to Cancer Research UK.Apparently Rod Thomson could name the song coming up as soon as he

heard the first note, no mean achievement given Aynsley’s years of singing and songwriting. The former Groby Community College student was playing guitar from an early age, was being compared to Eric Clapton by the time he was sixteen, and has been recording albums for over 12 years. From the earliest days he has written his own material. He wrote all but two of the tracks on his recent Tower Sessions album, one reviewer writing that “as well as being a brilliant guitarist Aynsley is also a fine singer and songwriter.” Another wrote that “Aynsley Lister is the blues man with the ‘boy-next-

door’ looks, the dextrous guitar fingers and the silky voice; the one that plays contemporary blues as if its the most natural and most commercial thing you can do. Lister brings a new lightness, fresh optimism to an old form with his wonderfully intelligent take on the blues.” His appearance at the Groby Street Fair on June 25th will be just a taster of his talent : welcome home Aynsley Lister. If you wish to support Aynsley’s charity cycle ride go to

http://donateinmemory.cancerresearchuk.org/0001475 or follow the links from his website http://www.aynsleylister.co.uk/ . on his website you can also watch videos of the band on the ‘ALtV’ link.


We’ve made great medical progress in the last generation. What used to be merely an itch is now an allergy.

Community groups celebrate funding awards CoMMuNIty groups in parishes across the borough are celebrating after learning that their schemes have been awarded a share of this year’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund. The aim of the Fund, which is administered by the Borough Council, is to

enable people who live in the parishes to improve local facilities and the quality of life in their communities.A total of £668,685 will be spent on 21 schemes this year, of which the

Borough Council will be contributing £104,130.Since 2005 the Fund has awarded over £480,000 towards 94 different

schemes run by local community groups, organisations and parish councils. Councillor Bill Crooks, Executive Member for Rural Affairs, said: “Once

again it’s good to see these grants spread right across the borough with 13 parishes being successful. Not only that, but the grants are proving to be very popular as the fund was oversubscribed for the first time this year.“However, I would urge some of the smaller villages to submit requests

for funding this year especially those that have received none or little in the past.”This year’s successful projects are as follows:

bagworth Community Centre - £12,000 for renovation of the Miners Hall which forms part of a bigger project to extend and improve the community centre. barlestone Parish Council

- £1,012 for new basketball nets for the play area at Bosworth Road Park. Elohim Church, barlestone

- £5,000 for a crèche extension in existing outbuildings George Ward Community

Centre, barwell - £5,592 for a new community garden with landscaping and seating. barwell Parish Council - £6,408

for a new pavilion and car parking at Dovecote Way. burbage Parish Council - £3,616

for a footpath linking Brookside gym trail to recreation ground. burbage Congregational

Church - £5,000 for a new front boundary wall. St Martins Church, Desford -

£500 for new church blinds. Sport In Desford - £11,500 for a

new tennis court. Earl Shilton town Council

- £5,000 for lighting to improve Church Park safety. Groby PArISH CouNCIL -

£11,437 for outdoor gym equipment on Quarry Park.

Markfield Parish Council - £1,750 for multi-use games area refurbishment at Mayflower Close. All Saints Church, Nailstone

- £5,000 for refurbishment of toilets and kitchen. Sheepy Magna Memorial Hall

- £2,585 for new kitchen in village hall. Stanton under bardon Parish

Council - £11,067 for play area improvements at Main Street recreation ground. Without Walls Christian

Fellowship, Stanton under bardon - £933 for replacement windows at Church hall. Stoke Golding Parish Council

- £3,889 for play area improvements at Hall Drive. Sutton Cheney Village Hall -

£4,848 for new floor in village hall. Sutton Cheney Parish Council

- £3,121 for new bus stop at Dadlington Green. Sutton Cheney Parish Council -

£904 for replacement notice boards. Norton Institute Committee,

twycross -£2,968 for new basketball nets at Main Street recreation ground.


It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there’s shipping and handling, too.

Groby Gardening Society NewsIt WAS a pleasure to welcome Philip Shreeve to our May meeting. Philip proved to be a much

travelled gentleman who used his holidays to produce a large photographic collection of his travels all over the world. He has been interested in photography as a hobby for over 62 years and has been presenting audio-visual presentations since 1968. By giving these shows without any fee or expenses, he has raised many thousands of pounds for charity. For the last 15 years he has been raising funds for the Rainbows Children’s Hospice at Loughborough. To date, Philip has visited 114 different groups in Leicester and Leicestershire many times and has given 408 slide shows and raised £11,330.00 for rainbows so far. In January 2005 he was awarded a certificate and made an honorary friend of Rainbows in recognition of his ongoing support for the children at Rainbows. He was a member of a photographic Society for 57 years and is a past President of the Melton Mowbray Photographic Society. His photography is based on old techniques and technology and has found no interest in the more modern digital hobby. The slide show he gave to us was based upon Madeira and was entitled “Madeira-A Garden in the Atlantic”. Everyone was enthralled by the quality of his slides and it was interesting to hear of the many prizes and awards they had amassed. One had even won in a European competition. Not only was the visual show impressive, but the synchronised commentary and accompanying music were beautifully dovetailed into the presentation. A couple of weeks ago, the Society received a letter form Rainbows acknowledging and thanking it for the latest donation.

The Society’s Plant Sale the sale held on Saturday 14th May was a resounding success with many local people supporting the event. Not only were lots of bargains

snapped up, but the chance to socialise in the café area was taken by many. Once again our friends from The Women’s Institute did us all proud with their superb cakes accompanying the tea and coffee. This was the first occasion when our new tablecloths could be used. Jenny Brewer, Pat Hall and Liz Reardon are the talented members we have to thank for these and it is certain that they will enhance our refreshment tables for many years to come.

The ShowMost exhibitors of flowers to the Village Show will admit that, due to vagaries of the weather and other factors out of growers’ control, they have no firm idea what they will submit until the morning of the Show. Such last minute decisions cannot

be taken by people wishing to enter the handicrafts section. Most of the categories need some element of planning. This year these categories include a painted picture, a card for a teenager, a card for a male, a photograph “What a Morning!”, a photograph “A Flower”, a mobile phone cover, a knitted jumper for a baby and a hand-made decorated box. More details are available from The Show Schedule. Similarly, The Patio Pot (category 29) will need to be prepared some time in advance. The schedule is easy to obtain from the Spotlight website or from the Library.

Shrewsbury Flower Show tripthis coach will take members and friends to the show on Friday August 12th.

The outing is open to non-members and offers a hassle-free way of attending this wonderful show. Anyone who is interested should contact Alvar on the number found below.

Forthcoming eventsJuly 14th: Members’ Open gardens followed by scones, strawberries and cream at the HallJuly 22nd/23rd: Visit to Liverpool, Chester & Ness gardens August 11th: History, Mystery and ManagementAugust 12th: Trip to Shrewsbury Flower ShowAugust 20th: The Village ShowSeptember 8th: Plants, Places and PassionWe always welcome new embers

and casual guests at our monthly meetings that are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, usually in the United Reformed Church rooms on Chapel Hill. Details about membership and the events programme can be obtained from Alvar Johnson. (Tel. No. 01162877870) or E mail [email protected]

Alvar Johnson

Small Ads

Advertise your items for sale FREE.

Send us the details, cost of item and your contact phone number for the

display box, together with your home address for our purposes only

(not for publication). Max 4 items, please. Max price: £300.

See page 3 for Spotlight contact details.

MOSES BASKET ‘I Love My Bear’ Price: £25ono, Top & Tail BOWL ‘I Love My Bear’ Price: £3, ROCKING Moses Basket STAND. Price £10 ono, BOY’S CLOTHES 3 mths to 3 yrs. Price: enquire. T: 0779 381 4047.

2 Sets of BOWLS - Size 0 & Size 5. Price: £45 each. Bowling SHOES - ladies size 5, mens size 9. Price: £5 each. T: 0116 287 5654.

CAMP Bed & Sleeping BAG - exc.cond. Price: £15. T: 01530 243 778.

Teak, oval extendable TABLE (could seat 8) plus 6 upholstered CHAIRS good condition. Price: £50. T: 0116 287 6024.

Electric rotary LAWN MOWER ‘Power Force 1000W’ + extension cable. Purchased Tesco 2010. V.g.c. Price: £25. T: 0116 287 8651.

96 Lake District green SLATE TILES 12”x12” + 72 halves. Price: Offers. T: 01530 243 424.

VIVARIUM - veneered chipboard with sliding glass doors, 23” wide x 15” high x 15” depth, includes 11” x 11” heat MAT & small water BOWL. Price: £40 M&S DINNER SERVICE Sennen Midnight blue/white includes serving platters & bowls. Ring for details. Price: £15. T: 0116 287 7757.

Built-in LARDER FRIDGE - White ‘Fridgemaster’ 3 yrs old, energy A efficiency. Price £50 3 TOYS all v.g.c.– Play Kitchen with saucepans, tea-set, food, shopping trolley & basket. Price: £45 3 tier Early Learning Centre. GARAGE with sound effects. Price: £15, FARM & Stable Block, animals & vehicles. Price: £20. T: 0116 287 3229.

TYRES on Peugeot 405 rims. Optimo K406 size 175/70R/14 84H. 6.5mm tread. Price: £30 the pair. T: 0116 291 7672.


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28 Fairefield Crescent, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8EH


I have gone to look for myself, if I should return before I get back, keep me here.

Groby Online with Norman Griffiths

This month - www.star-trak.co.uk

“It’s gawn!” exclaimed the man as I walked past the Stamford Arms. He must have seen the puzzled look on my

face upon meeting someone in the middle of Groby doing quite a good impression of Kenneth Williams, and in case I hadn’t heard him the first time he said it again. “It’s gawn, star trek,” this time waving his hand in the air. I looked at the sky, illogically half expecting to see the Starship Enterprise disappearing behind the clouds and half wishing that Scotty could beam me up. Then I saw what he meant, and yes it had gawn, but it was Star Trak not Star Trek. The Star Trak displays outside the Stamford Arms and the Co-op had been taken down after a short life of 7 years. Many residents won’t miss the displays, as they

catch the bus to Leicester opposite the post office or at other stops where there were no displays. Which leaves a question hanging in the air - why weren’t they put at the post office stop which all buses to Leicester pass instead of outside the Co-op which never sees a Leicester bound 29? We’ll never know.

System switched off“Star Trak was switched of at the end of January

this year as a result of the City Council’s savings programme,” explained a County Council spokes-man. “Star Trak used older technology that was getting more costly to maintain and as a result, reliability and passenger confidence in the sys-tem was declining. We are working with the City Council on a future project designed to deliver real time information through ticket machines which will greatly reduce costs and could be brought in when machines are renewed.”

Arriva withdrawsIt seems that the future of this system has been un-

certain since Nottingham City Council left the Star Trak consortium in October of last year. What the spokesman didn’t say, but the City Council does, is that the shut down came after bus operator Arriva Midlands decided at the beginning of January to withdraw from the system. The city council decided it would no longer be viable to op-erate the system without the participation of Arriva. Councillor Abdul Osman, Leicester City Council’s cabinet member for regen-eration and transport, said: “Leicester City Council has closed the entire Star Trak system in Leicester and Leicestershire. Unfortunately the current climate of Government cuts has taken away the prospect of investment in a new system in the foreseea-ble future. We will continue to work with our part-ners and third parties to explore options for the future and to implement an orderly shut-down of the remaining system across the East Midlands.” The capital costs of the system amounted to ap-

proximately £3,397,000 over 4 years. Leicester City and Leicestershire county councils paid 15% and

16% of the costs respectively. The city received £1,650,000 funding from the Transport Direct programme towards the cost of scheme expan-sion and the shut down will save the city council £200,000 a year in subsidies and staffing costs.

An unreliable system?An investigation into the old system’s failings

found that one bus stop only displayed accurate bus times 15% of the time. Bernard Marriott, of the Campaign for Better Transport, told the Leicester Mercury that “This system has never worked properly. No-one could rely on it for ac-curate information and we’ve been very critical of it over the years.”The irony is that although Star Trak could (of-

ten) tell a passenger how long they would have to wait for a bus, what most passengers want is a reliable service with buses which appear at the time shown on the timetable.

Gone but not forgottenStar Trak may be gawn, sorry gone, but it is not

forgotten and there is one tiny benefit left over from all that expenditure. Real Time information is no longer available on the Star Trak website, but limited information is still there. If you don’t have a timetable it is quicker to use the Star Trak site to check the bus times than to go the Arriva website. And there’s another benefit - the pub-lished timetables only give the main stops, but the Star Trak website has all the stops on the route and all the services in one place, though it only displays the next 20 arrivals. £3 million seems a little expensive to be left with just an extract from

an online timetable but per-haps that’s what happens when we ‘boldly go where no man has gone before’, as they say on Star Trek. As one city councillor remarked “I’d like to see the council looking at sys-tems elsewhere which are proven to work, rather than going for something untested again.”To find the times of buses

go to www.star-trak.co.uk and enter a route number, 26,27,28 or 29. All the bus stops will be listed, so double click on your stop and the next 20 ar-rivals from Leicester will be displayed. Clicking on switch direction will show the next 20 departures to

Leicester. The system doesn’t seem to indicate the date

the timetable displayed came into effect, and although the parts checked seem to be accurate and up to date, the best advice is to pick up a timetable from Groby library rather than rely on Star-Trak.


Everyone needs belief in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.

tHE FoLLoWING incidents were reported to the Police in the local area during May 2011.

Description Groby Field Head

House Burglaries Actual: 2 x Glebe Road, Newtown Linford lane, Ulverscroft Drive, Bradgate Hill Attempted:

5 Actual 0 Attempted

0

Garage, Shed, Outbuilding Burglaries Actual: Lime Avenue, 2 x Louise Avenue, Bradgate Hill Attempted:

4 Actual 0 Attempted

0

Theft of Motor Vehicle: 0 0

Theft from Motor Vehicle: 0 0

Damage to Motor Vehicle: 4 0

Non-Domestic Assaults 6 0

Anti Social Behaviour Incidents 4 0

Crimes That Don’t Affect Residents Homes or Cars Theft: 5 / Damage: 1 / Other: 4

10 0

TOTAL (Actual) 33 0TOTAL (Attempted) 0 0

PC 0918 Ned Kelly • Sergeant Matthew trott

Local crime news in more detail is available at www.groby.org.uk

Information supplied by Martin Cartwright, Secretary - Groby Branch Neighbourhood Watch

Tel: 0116 2874500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 Email: [email protected]

In An Emergency dial 999. Contact the local police on 0116 222-2222. Next meetings: thursday 9th June 2011 at 7.30pm at Groby Village Hall

thursday 8th September 2011 at 7.30pm at Groby Village Hall.

Crime Figures for May 2011

Knit N’ Stitch is coming to Groby LibraryWE ArE hoping to get a little knitting group together to meet once a fortnight at Groby Library. The group will meet on a Friday afternoon from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. All levels of experience welcome, the idea is to help each other, share

ideas and have a nice chat! At the moment we just want to get an idea of whether anyone would be

interested in attending, so if you are interested please let me know by either emailing [email protected] or by calling 07719 440935. Details of when the group plans to start will follow.

Clare Liggins


Anyone who told you to be yourself couldn’t have given you worse advice.

~ New & Forthcoming DVD Releases ~

Visit a farm on Open Farm Sunday

... and discover the story behind our food

A day for everyone to meet the people who grow our food and

care for our countryside.

12th June 2011Where: Little Markfield Farm,

Forest Road, Markfield,Leicester, LE67 9UN.

Time: 10.30am to 5pmContact: Brenda 01530 242173

or 07774047571

ActivitiesCome and see sheep being sheared, wool being spun,

Cows, Sheep, Pigs and Chickens with their babies; feed

the lambs! Farm walks,Hot dogs & Beef Burgers using

farm produce,Home made Cakes & Pies, Beer festival, Meet Pen the

Red-Tail Hawk Modern & Vintage machinery, Crafts stalls, Sausage making

Pumpkin growing competition for the children,

£1 entry fee per adult Children Free

We will be raising money for LOROS, Rainbows and

Markfield Churches

Hinckley & Bosworth

OVER 50’s DAY FRIDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2011

The Atkins Building and The Concordia Theatre

10 am to 4 pm

Admission by ticket only £5.00

Includes a two course lunch at the Concordia Theatre

Morning and afternoon tea and coffee Dance, exercise, hobbies, crafts, talks & therapies

Swimming/Exercise voucher for Hinckley Leisure Centre Carrier bag packed with information and shopping discount

vouchers

For more information phone 01455 250462 Email: [email protected]

This event is organised by the Hinckley & Bosworth 0lder Voices Partnership, which comprises local voluntary and statutory agencies, supported by volunteers.

Charity event at Markfield Community Centre oN SuNDAy June 26th 2011, we are raising funds for the Leicester Kidney Patients’ Association and also raising awareness of this chronic illness.We have on the day a Golden mile

sponsored walk and lots of stalls and games, so hopefully people will come and join us and have lots of fun. It all starts at 11am.

Ann Carter

Battle Los Angeles (12)Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle

Rodriguez

Witness the end of civilization unfold as hostile alien invaders attack the planet. As people everywhere watch the

world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. Now it’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered in this epic sci-fi action film.

Unknown (12)Starring: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger

A man claiming to be Dr Martin Harris awakes in berlin hospital with severe head injuries and very little knowledge as to how he got there. The doctors inform him that he has been in a coma

for four days after surviving a near fatal car crash. Attempting to piece together the incidents leading up to the accident, he discovers that his wife no longer recognises him and another man has assumed his identity. Now the only thing standing in the way of him and the truth is a deadly team of trained assassins who will stop at nothing to have him killed. It’s time for Dr Harris to face his identity, his sanity and take back his life… by force.

The Eagle (12)Starring: Channing Tatum, Jamie

Bell.

A roman epic adventure, based on the classic novel of the same name, set in the dangerous world of second-century britain. In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained

disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Jamie Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian’s Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the lost legion’s golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

Faster (15)Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob

Thornton.

An ex-con seeks revenge for his brother’s death in this action-packed revenge thriller. Ten years ago, Driver (Johnson) was

part of a bank heist gone horribly awry. In the chaos of the botched robbery, his brother wound up dead. Now Driver is a free man, and he’s determined to punish the men who killed his late sibling.

2�Groby & Field Head Spotlight • Mid-JUNE 2011 • Tel: 01530 244069

When all other means of communication fail, try words.

Poker supremo wanted at the

Coach & Horses

DAVID at the Coach & Horses is looking for someone to oversee a weekly Poker Night at the pub. Anyone interested should contact David on 01530 242312.

LETTERRatby Village Society Annual ShowrAtby Village Society is looking forward to its Annual Show on Saturday 13th August in the Church rooms, Church Lane, ratby.Classes include vegetables, fruit, flowers and floral arrangements, cookery,

wine, preserves and bread, as well as handicrafts, a Young People’s Section and poetry.The poetry section consists of three classes: adults, young people nine

years and under, and 10 years to under 16 years of age. The theme for this section is: ‘RATBY - What do you like about Ratby? What does Ratby mean to you?’Perhaps you enjoy the countryside around Ratby or you have fond

memories of days gone by that you would like to share. Poems should be handed in at ratby Library by 6th August 2011. A schedule of classes (open to all) will shortly be available from the library

and other locations around the village. If you would like to reserve a schedule or want further information, please telephone 0116 239 5350 for details.

Jane Rayne, Ratby

booK: In a League of His Ownby Nigel Jepson£7.99 PB

EMILy LAWSoN is coming to terms with the end of a long-term relationship when she moves back to the north-west of England and takes a temporary job as a PA at a local Football League club. Soon she is working with charismatic Frank

Borrow, also known as The Professor, newly appointed in controversial circumstances to pull Oakhill United FC from the depths of League 2. Frank’s career to date has included a number of championship wins along the way, and he is looking forward to the next phase with Oakhill while he negotiates his way through a tricky divorce from his Italian wife Carla.But when Frank meets Rosie Skipton, whose talented young son has just

been turned down for a place at Oakhill’s training academy, Frank’s life goes into a spin. Emily finds Frank intriguing, even rather attractive, but she must watch from the sideline as he begins to make what could be the biggest mistake of his career so far. Corruption in the boardroom, incompetence on the field, scheming among prospective investors - all the familiar players in the story of modern football are in place, as Frank finds himself outmanoeuvred in both his professional and his private life.Nigel Jepson is the author of

two previously published novels, The Inspector and the Superhead (2000) and Cut and Run (Book Guild Publishing, 2006), each exploring the pressures facing Head Teachers in running challenging secondary schools. As a Head Teacher himself, Nigel Jepson has successfully taken three schools out of Special Measures, two in Bradford and one in Rochdale. He is currently Principal at Kearsley Academy in Bolton.

Please Note: there will be no issue of spotlight in July due to holidays.

the next issue will be out on the weekend of 13th & 14th august.


The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.

1st Prize: A Main Course Sunday Lunch for Two at Little Acorns!

2nd Prize: A £10 DVD Hire Voucher to Spend at

Glenfield Moviezone!

tENNIS WorDSEArCH

LAST issue’s first prize winner was MrS. JuLIE KotECHA of bedford Drive, Groby.

You win a £25 Meal Voucher to spend at Frankie & Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant.

The winner of the second prize - a £10 DVD Hire Voucher to spend at Glenfield MovieZone - was DENISE LEVELL of Victoria Drive, Groby.

Congratulations! Your vouchers will be with you within 21 days.

If you can find 12 MuLtIPLE WIMbLEDoN CHAMPIoNS in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win a Main Course Sunday Lunch for two at Little Acorns restaurant, Sevenoaks Garden Centre, Near Groby Pool - or a £10 DVD Hire Voucher to spend at Glenfield Moviezone (see ad on page 17).

All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 players who have won the Wimbledon singles tennis title more than once. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).Send your marked entry forms to: NEW bALLS PLEASE, Groby &

Field Head Spotlight, Po box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9Zt to arrive by Saturday 2nd July 2011. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the Little Acorns voucher and the sender of the second will win the Moviezone DVD hire voucher. Good luck!

Here are the WIMbLEDoN CHAMPS you have to find: BILLIE JEAN KING • BORIS BECKER • CHRIS EVERT

JIMMY CONNORS • JOHN MCENROE • MARTINA NAVRATILOVA PETE SAMPRAS • ROD LAVER • ROGER FEDERER

SERENA WILLIAMS • STEFFI GRAF • VENUS WILLIAMS

name: .................................................................................................

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

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

Last issue’s winners

Groby Cubs Flying High

IF you passed the village hall on Saturday 5th March at around 8.00am, you may have wondered why there was a large group of Cubs gathering in the Car Park. We were all waiting for our Coach to take us to RAF Hendon. 24 Cubs

and 4 leader/adults travelled down to London, along with over 1000 other cubs on our annual “Wannado” outing. This year we were invading (sorry visiting) RAF Hendon. All the cubs had worked on their Air Activity Badge the week before so

while visiting the museum, they were able to finish their badge work. The museum were very welcoming and well organised, and provided old

RAF uniforms from all ranks in the RAF for the cubs to which they eagerly tried on.All cubs were presented with a Wannado RAF Hendon Museum badge in

front of a Lancaster Bomber, by a member of the museum staff dressed as a member of the Royal Air Force.

Sheila Plummer, Cub Leader


ANSTEY & DISTRICT FUNERAL SERVICESBEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

As 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 12noon.

next dates: Sat 18th June and Sat 16th JulyARRAN BRUDENELL, Tel: 0116 234 0548

A printer consists of three main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light

Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club Leicester road, Groby tel: 0116 287 1809 www.grobyclub.co.uk NOTICE TO MEMBERS New Members Welcome Fri 10 June: MARTYN RUSSELL Sat 11 June: TAKIRA Sun 12 June: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 17 June: JONATHAN BENNETT Sat 18 June: ROBBIE ALLEN Sun 19 June: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 24 June: DAVE LLOYD Sat 25 June: PETE COMFORT Sun 26 June: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 1 July: CARL STEVENS Sat 2 July: FINCH & YOUNG Sun 3 July: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 8 July: KARL HOWARD Sat 9 July: CHRIS ROBIN Sun 10 July: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 15 July: DANIEL DAMON Sat 16 July: JAMIE NEALE Sun 17 July: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 22 July: TBC Sat 23 July: SIMON HENLEY (ELVIS) Sun 24 July: Super Sunday ‘50’ Fri 29 July: JAMIE D Sat 30 July: JASON COMFORT Sun 31 July Super Sunday’50’ Fri 5 August: PHIL SKI Sat 6 August: CATS EYES Sun 7: Super Sunday ‘50’ BIG SCREEN SKY SPORTS (See Ad on P.9)

the Stamford Arms 2 Leicester road, Groby tel: 0116 287 5616. (SUNDAYS are 3pm ~ 6pm) Sat 11 June: FIRE & SKILL Sun 12 June: Aint MISBEHAVIN Sun 19 June: CAMILLA & JUSTIN Fri 24 June: S.T.C. Sun 26 June: MOJO HAND Sat 2 July: COLIN KASEY Sun 3 July: STEVE RAFFLES Fri 8 July: FUNCTION JUNCTION

Sun 10 July: Aint MISBEHAVIN Sun 17 July: CITIZENS of SWING Sat 23 July: THE UNTOUCHABLES Sun 24 July: THE CHEEZE Sat 30 July: STONEPARK Sun 31 July: MOJO HAND Fri 5 Aug: THE FREEZE Sun 7 Aug: HISS & BOO KARAOKE ~ Every Wed OPEN MIC ~Every Thurs QUIZ – General Knowledge + Find the Joker ~ EVERY Sun QUIZ – Music ~ EVERY Tues

the Nag’s Head Station road, Glenfield t: 0116 287 2794 Every THURS 9pm – QUIZ (General Knowledge) Free to Enter. Win Beer. SKY SPORTS (See AD on P.12)

the Field Head Hotel Markfield Lane, Markfield tel: 01530 245454 Tribute Nights/£2 Entry after 7pm. Fri 10 June: MOTOWN Fri 24 June: OASIS Fri 15 July: PHIL COLLINS Fri 29 July: TINA TURNER Fri 12 Aug: ROLLING STONES Quiz Nite: 2nd Tues of Month

the Coach & Horses Leicester road, Field Head tel: 01530 242 312 KARAOKE Nights:- Sats 18th June & 2nd July (’King of the Road’) (Coming Soon – Poker Night Presently Seeking Overseer)

the bricklayers Arms 213 Main Street thornton t: 01530 230 808 QUIZ Nite – Thursdays www.bricklayersarms.net

Classics Donington le Heath the Manor House barn t: 01530 817214 Fri 17 June: CEILIDH £7.50 (No food) Booking Advisable www.classics1485.co.uk

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I installed a skylight in my apartment. The people who live above me are furious.

News from the allotments

LEASING an allotment is similar to buying a puppy. They both take time and need

attention. It would be difficult for us to assess a responsible dog owner; it is even harder to assess a new allotment tenant. Some disappoint and some are brilliant, it is an interesting study. Television gardening programs can give the wrong impression that it is so easy, you put seed in then come back later and pick. The new tenants this year have a

handicap, no rain making digging much harder, in fact we have had no substantial rain for many weeks, the water tanks and butts are now empty. Watering established plants is just a waste of water and effort, the roots are already down to a depth beyond which surface watering can reach. Puddle new plants in yes and walk away. Plants are like the birds they will go for the easy option like feeding from your bird table, plants will send roots upward to drink your surface water and not look for it themselves down below.

Go on holiday and the plants will not get watered so be weaker than your neighbours who never watered. This fact has proved itself many times but it’s very difficult to get the message over. Back to dogs and puppies: We have had

complaints about dog mess being found on plots, we welcome dogs but the tenancy agreement is clear, dogs on a lead at all times and tethered. There are some very well behaved dogs brought onto the plots and unfortunately they will get tarred with the same brush. Please remember that some people are not fond of dogs, especially children.The second and final waste skip was

delivered to Ratby Road on 21st May. This was to collect years of accumulated rubbish behind and in old condemned sheds. It’s only when a new tenant takes on a plot that we realise what was hidden there so it’s our responsibility to clear the ground. We think that we have got the whole site now clean but we will be watching out for more accumulating rubbish. There was a wonderful spirit of cooperation among members who turned out to help. A big thank you to you all.Calke Abbey the National Trust property

on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire borders has a book on offer: Keeping an Allotment by Kevin Forbes at £3.99. I thought it was an excellent book for beginners and the experienced alike. Ring before you visit to make sure it is still on the shelves.

LETTERMeadow purchase ‘NOT an example of the Big Society in action’I WAS amazed to read the letter published in the May edition of Spotlight, in which the writer claimed that the purchase of the meadow site was an “example of the big Society in action”.Putting to one side the issue

of just what the “Big Society” is, I think this is a complete misrepresentation of the matter.If one asks the question “why

was there a need for the Parish to buy the land in question?” the answer in reality was “to stop travellers buying it”. The fact that the end product of the purchase has been to create the opportunity to create a community asset for the good of all residents, does not change the fact that the motive behind buying it was to prevent travellers doing so.Had there not been a rumour

that travellers were about to bid for the land (well-founded or not), then the panic knee jerk reaction and the rush creation of a community trust would never have happened.I have been a resident of Groby

for over 25 years and there are many fine citizens resident here. There are however too many whose motives for any actions are driven by pure NIMBYism - that frankly sickens me.

Name & Address Supplied

All graduated -and nowhere to workoNE IN FIVE students left university last year without a job, because graduate unemployment rose to its highest level since the mid-1990s. Recent official figures reveal that

20 per cent of ex-students were without work in the third quarter of 2010 – double the number when the recession started. Meanwhile, The Office for National Statistics also suggests that more than 45 students will be applying for each graduate job in 2011.


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june 2011 groby & field head spotlight magazine

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