february - Countesthorpe Herald
february - Countesthorpe Herald
february - Countesthorpe Herald
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www.countesthorpe-herald.org.uk<br />
IN THIS ISSUE OF YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER<br />
PAGE<br />
6<br />
HE ERALD<br />
Steeplejacks and<br />
Steam Rollers in<br />
the spotlight<br />
NEW COUNTESTHORPE<br />
Village Newspaper 265 February 2010<br />
OUR VERY OWN ‘DINNER LADIES’<br />
The team pictured above provide a<br />
welcome hot dinner and social every<br />
Wednesday lunch time at the Methodist<br />
Church Hall. As with most voluntary<br />
groups, they could always use some extra<br />
volunteers. There follows a selection of<br />
letters from both the team and recipients<br />
of the lunches which give a fl avour of the<br />
club and show how much the effort taken<br />
to provide this mid-week social occasion<br />
is appreciated. Some of the letters refer to<br />
the special Christmas Dinner with which<br />
the <strong>Herald</strong> are pleased to be associated.<br />
Dear Readers, It’s that time of year<br />
again, we are asking for help again.<br />
Something a bit different this time, we<br />
are looking for a retired, able bodied<br />
man to take down the trestle tables,<br />
stack chairs and vacuum the carpet after<br />
the luncheon club. He would be needed<br />
every Wednesday from 1.15 to 1.45pm<br />
or he could come for lunch (two courses<br />
for £1.70) and clear away after.<br />
PAGE<br />
8-9<br />
We are also happy for anyone to volunteer<br />
to help in preparation and serving the<br />
meal should they have a spare Wednesday<br />
once a month. Any volunteer needs to be<br />
able to stand for a few hours as all the<br />
work is done in the kitchen.<br />
I look forward to hearing from you, I can<br />
be contacted on 2775827, please leave a<br />
message should I be unavailable.<br />
Yours faithfully Sheila Clarke<br />
To the <strong>Herald</strong>, As a helper at the Senior<br />
Citizens Wednesday lunches, we at the<br />
Christmas lunch always had a 1lb box of<br />
Roses chocolates from you, except this<br />
last one, not a 1lb but a 2lb tin of Roses,<br />
so that deserves an extra thank you.<br />
Winnie Wright<br />
Dear Sir, I would like to take this<br />
opportunity to say thank you to Leysland<br />
High School for inviting the Senior<br />
Citizens of the village to a Christmas<br />
lunch, followed by entertainment, by<br />
Shelterbox on the<br />
ground helping<br />
Haiti relief effort<br />
PAGE<br />
13<br />
<strong>Herald</strong> challenge<br />
you to answer<br />
questions<br />
INSIDE YOUR HERALD, EVERY ISSUE • Local Events Diary • Parish Council News • Local Services Directory • The Very Best Local Gossip!<br />
MORE HOMES = MORE<br />
TRAFFIC = MORE CHAOS<br />
See page 3 for traffi c and page 21 for planning<br />
some very talented pupils. I had a most<br />
enjoyable day. I would also like to thank<br />
the <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Senior Luncheon Club<br />
for a lovely meal, complete with crackers,<br />
and the present of chocolates given by<br />
the <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> <strong>Herald</strong>.<br />
Eileen Edwards<br />
Dear Sir, I would like to thank the people<br />
of the <strong>Herald</strong> for the tin of chocolates<br />
given to us at the Wednesday dinner<br />
club.<br />
Sue Johnson<br />
Dear Sir, I am writing to thank the<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> <strong>Herald</strong> for the very<br />
generous donation of £200, for the<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Senior Citizens Luncheon<br />
Club, Christmas meal.<br />
This club has been running for over thirty<br />
years, by volunteers who, source, prepare,<br />
cook, serve, a weekly hot meal for up to<br />
40 Senior persons each week, which is<br />
considered a very worthy community<br />
service, as a number of these people are<br />
widows, widowers, this also serves as a<br />
social meeting each week.<br />
Each Christmas the club tries to make<br />
the Christmas meal as festive as possible,<br />
and your very kind donation allows us to<br />
purchase a gift for each member.<br />
Once again please pass on not only my<br />
thanks but the thanks of the members<br />
of the <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Senior Citizens<br />
Luncheon Club for your very kind<br />
donation Dave Ball, Club Chairman.
2 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
About a dozen villagers<br />
regularly help produce the<br />
<strong>Herald</strong>. A further 70 make<br />
sure copies go through every<br />
letter box. All the helpers are<br />
volunteers who give their<br />
time to our community<br />
completely free.<br />
Advertising<br />
Contact: Elaine Cooke<br />
10 Mull Way<br />
Tel: 277 4422 / 277 1808<br />
Fax: 278 3204<br />
Articles<br />
Post or deliver to the <strong>Herald</strong><br />
38 Station Road or<br />
Green Lane Workshop<br />
or Fax: 278 3204<br />
e-mail herald@macunlimited.net<br />
Committee<br />
Andrew Pennington 277 3692<br />
Elaine Cooke 277 4422<br />
Martin Smith 277 5783<br />
Andrew Oughton 277 1808<br />
Hettie Schultka (Photo Library)<br />
Mike Higgs (Photographer)<br />
Marion Szyndler (Typist)<br />
Patsy Paterson (Proofi ng)<br />
Maureen Leadbeater (webmaster)<br />
Trevor Blood<br />
Web Site<br />
www.countesthorpe-herald.org.uk<br />
Diary<br />
Please post events on Parish<br />
Council web diary<br />
Next Copy Deadline<br />
11th March 2010<br />
TIMS Landscaping & Home Maintanance<br />
277 0129<br />
07885 052558<br />
INSIDE<br />
Tiling, Bathroom Fitting, Laminated Flooring<br />
all types of DIY (If you don’t see what you need please ask)<br />
8 Waterloo Crescent, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, Leicester LE8 5SU<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Diary<br />
JANUARY<br />
30-31st “Art in Epiphany”<br />
St Andrew’s All day Active Arts<br />
FEBRUARY<br />
2nd Mothers Union<br />
Cornerstone 2.30pm.<br />
Ruth Westley ‘Anecdotes from<br />
my life’<br />
6th WOW! Arts & Crafts Fair<br />
Doors open 10am until 4pm<br />
Village Hall £1.00 entry on the<br />
door for Rainbows Childrens<br />
Hospice.<br />
8th W.I.<br />
Village Hall 7.30pm<br />
Ice Cream by Brian Dalby<br />
9th <strong>Herald</strong> Committee Meeting<br />
Conservative Club 8pm.<br />
12th Sheila Dibnah<br />
Village Hall 7.30pm<br />
Active Arts Event<br />
17th Community Cultural Festival<br />
Brockington College 6 - 8.30pm<br />
See page 15<br />
19th <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> and Foston<br />
Heritage Group<br />
Village Hall 7.30pm.<br />
Peter Liddle on, ‘Finding<br />
archaeological sites in Leic’s’.<br />
21st Fair Trade Fortnight<br />
From today until 6th March.<br />
More details on page 27<br />
22nd Public Meeting<br />
For Willoughby Road Plans.<br />
Village Hall 7.30pm See page 21<br />
24th Fair Trade Coffee Morning<br />
Village Libray 10.30am.<br />
27th Fair Trade Coffee Morning<br />
Methodist Church<br />
See page 27<br />
27th Day of Folk<br />
10am till closing -Village Hall<br />
Active Arts Event<br />
See page 6<br />
OUTSIDE<br />
Slabbing<br />
Patio’s<br />
Block Paving<br />
Driveways<br />
Gravel-Pebbles<br />
Fencing<br />
Tree Work<br />
Grass Cutting<br />
Hedge Trimming<br />
Pressure Washing<br />
Gardens Cleared<br />
MARCH<br />
2nd Mothers Union<br />
Cornerstone 2.30pm.<br />
Ivan Bennett ‘Evangelism’<br />
6th Annual Art Exhibition<br />
1pm-5pm Saturday and Noon-<br />
4pm on Sunday <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
College Active Arts Event<br />
6th Fair Trade Coffee Morning<br />
Methodist Church<br />
8th W.I.<br />
Village Hall 7.30pm.<br />
Stoneygate Spooks Scandals and<br />
Society Virginia Wright<br />
11th <strong>Herald</strong> Copy Date<br />
12th Leic’s Arts Big Band Concert<br />
- College 7.30pm. AA Event<br />
12th <strong>Herald</strong> Quiz<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Cricket ground<br />
7.30pm. See page13<br />
26th <strong>Herald</strong> Published<br />
APRIL<br />
6th Mothers Union<br />
Cornerstone 2.30pm. Ros Dudley<br />
‘Spring Flower Arranging’<br />
12th W.I.<br />
Village Hall 7.30pm.<br />
Portals. Joyce Lucas<br />
14th London Mozart Players<br />
St Andrew’s Church 7.30pm.<br />
Active Arts Event<br />
17th Acoustic Sounds<br />
College See page 6<br />
FREE OVER 60’S<br />
SWIMMING LESSONS<br />
Starting 15th February at Enderby<br />
Leisure Centre for two weeks Monday,<br />
Wednesday and Friday At 8am (1 hour<br />
lessons) ASA qualifi ed teacher. To book<br />
on fi ll out a registration form and hand<br />
in to reception. If you join the free<br />
swimming lessons, you will receive a<br />
£20 off Voucher for Everyone Active<br />
swimming lessons to continue learning. If<br />
you have any queries please call Enderby<br />
Leisure Centre 2750234
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 3<br />
LONG DELAYS ON<br />
ROUTE TO LEICESTER<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> seems doomed to be<br />
blighted with travel delays. After the<br />
weeks of problems around Landsdown<br />
Grove prior to Christmas, greater delays<br />
caused by roadworks at St Thomas’s mini<br />
island have marked the start of the new<br />
year. Hopefully by the time the <strong>Herald</strong><br />
is published the County Council will<br />
have amended the traffi c management<br />
(detailed in the following Leicester<br />
Mercury article) and traffi c will fl ow<br />
better for the remaining three months of<br />
the work to improve the junctions.<br />
RETHINK OVER ROADWORKS<br />
IN SOUTH WIGSTON<br />
Changes to the layout of roadworks in<br />
South Wigston “clogged” with traffi c are<br />
to be made after over thirty complaints<br />
from motorists and local traders have<br />
been lodged.<br />
Leicestershire County Council has been<br />
forced to rethink the way it has dealt with<br />
the fl ow of traffi c along Blaby Road and<br />
surrounding streets since work began<br />
directly after Christmas.<br />
The works, due to last four months, have<br />
seen the area gridlocked during rush-hour<br />
and long queues at other times.<br />
It has involved lane closures at the<br />
bottom of Saffron Road and the closure<br />
of one end of <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Road.<br />
The County Council has now said it<br />
intends to shorten the length of road<br />
controlled by temporary traffi c lights<br />
and is considering installing yellow box<br />
markings.<br />
A spokesman for the council also said<br />
it would be installing a “more effi cient”<br />
Firth School of Dancing<br />
I.D.T.A.<br />
Over<br />
30 years<br />
experience<br />
Ballroom, Latin,<br />
Sequence, Argentine Tango<br />
Blaby Social Centre<br />
Mon & Fri Evenings<br />
Phone Sheila (Mon, Fri Evs.) 277 1218 Home 277 1909<br />
Enjoy Exercising to Music?<br />
Closed for the summer resumes<br />
Wednesday 9th September<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Village Hall,<br />
6pm to 7pm £3 per session<br />
For more information contact Ann<br />
Tel: 288 8389 or<br />
Email ajjnorton@tiscali.co.uk<br />
temporary signaling system next week.<br />
In the time since roadworks began,<br />
businesses in Blaby Road say their<br />
customers have been deserting them<br />
and some are worried about going out<br />
of business.<br />
They have welcomed the council’s<br />
changes and hope it improves the<br />
situation.<br />
Graham Bishop, owner of South Wigston<br />
Cycle Centre, in Blaby Road, said: “At<br />
the moment, it’s a nightmare at rush-hour<br />
and it’s been a huge inconvenience for us,<br />
our customers and anyone who wants to<br />
drive around South Wigston. Customers<br />
are setting off to come here, seeing the<br />
traffi c, and then turning around to go<br />
elsewhere.<br />
“I’m happy that they are trying to do<br />
something about it. It’s a good thing and<br />
hopefully it will help make things better<br />
because it is a very big issue.”<br />
Bill Boulter, county councillor for South<br />
Wigston, said he had received more than<br />
20 complaints.<br />
He said: “We had a word with the<br />
council on Monday because at this rate<br />
we wouldn’t have had any shopkeepers<br />
left.<br />
“Anything that will ease the situation is<br />
good because we’ve had two weeks of<br />
absolute chaos and we’ve got 15 more.<br />
“The whole area is clogged up. I think<br />
this will help but I don’t know why<br />
they didn’t think of this before. I’m<br />
disappointed by that as the council knew<br />
it was causing havoc.”<br />
Oadby and Wigston council leader<br />
John Boyce said he had also passed on<br />
a number of complaints to the county<br />
council.<br />
He said: “Anything that increases the<br />
fl ow of traffi c has to be welcomed. It’s<br />
not acceptable at this time.”
4 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
LEICESTERSHIRE<br />
SPEAKERS<br />
CHRISTMAS EVENING<br />
The room garlands sparkled as did<br />
Leicestershire Speakers at their Christmas<br />
meeting on Wednesday, 10 th December.<br />
The Secretary reminded members of the<br />
post-Christmas Sunday lunch and the<br />
President’s dinner in March. A reading<br />
followed entitled “Miss Blaydon’s<br />
Christmas Cake”. The story of a lonely<br />
woman who eventually persuaded<br />
villagers into her home to eat with her.<br />
Trouble was the cake was so old it had<br />
been moth-balled – literally. Somehow<br />
guests avoided eating but the dog was not<br />
so lucky! An hilarious tale!<br />
Mark Glover presiding Chairman then<br />
handed out a series of diffi cult words to<br />
4 teams for a “Call my Bluff” session.<br />
UNDERBUD was deceptive; it was not<br />
a grafting point on a tree (although Carol<br />
Hayward’s tree acting was memorable)<br />
nor barnacles on a boat, but a Debutante<br />
awaiting presentation. DZIGGETAI<br />
proved easier, as members worked on the<br />
clues and identifi ed it as a species of Wild<br />
Ass found only on the Russian Steppes.<br />
So it continued with Sylvia Wilson’s team<br />
emerging eventual winners.<br />
Whilst the Christmas goodies were<br />
being set out, Josephine Northam read<br />
“The Nativity” a poem written from the<br />
point of view of teachers. The school<br />
nurse had to go on stage disguised as a<br />
tree and fi ghting broke out amongst the<br />
shepherds but, fortunately, Baby Jesus<br />
was not actually tossed off the stage.<br />
Beautifully read and bravely keeping a<br />
straight face, Jo was the only one not<br />
helpless with laughter.<br />
Feasting followed and conversation<br />
fl owed – well what else would you expect<br />
from Speakers?<br />
Leicestershire Speakers welcome anyone<br />
who would like to learn the art of speaking<br />
in public. Our meetings are supportive,<br />
informative and entertaining. We offer<br />
enthusiasm and encouragement to help<br />
turn nervous wrecks into confident<br />
speakers. Members are available for<br />
speaking engagements. We meet at 7.30<br />
pm on the second Wednesday of each<br />
month. For more information ring Anne<br />
Jones on 277 2295 or visit our website<br />
www.leicspeakers.co.uk.<br />
DVD OF SPECIAL<br />
OLYMPICS<br />
FANS of the Special Olympics 2009,<br />
which was hosted in Leicester earlier<br />
this year, can now relive the triumphs<br />
and tears in a DVD package of all the<br />
action.<br />
The commemorative double DVD set,<br />
containing all the thrills and spills of the<br />
games, is now available to order.<br />
Lasting 190 minutes, the DVD features<br />
highlights including the magical opening<br />
ceremony at the Walkers Stadium,<br />
setting the tone for 7 days of sporting<br />
endeavour in the city, which hosted the<br />
Special Olympics for the second time in<br />
July 2009.<br />
Athletes, volunteer helpers and sporting<br />
ambassadors from across the city<br />
have also contributed their views and<br />
comments as the drama unfolded in 20<br />
venues across Leicester, Leicestershire<br />
and Rutland.<br />
The double DVD is available now to<br />
order, priced £13, which includes postage<br />
and packing, from David Sinclair at<br />
www.sinvision.co.uk/SOL2009/DVD.<br />
html<br />
For an extra £2, fans can also get a copy<br />
of the prestigious ‘A Sporting Chance’<br />
book, which charts the progress of the<br />
Special Olympics movement in the UK<br />
and abroad, telling the tale of how it<br />
has helped the personal development<br />
and aspirations of those involved, and<br />
transformed attitudes towards people<br />
with learning disabilities.<br />
Special Olympics Games Director Steve<br />
Humphries said: ‘The Special Olympics<br />
2009 will no doubt live long in the<br />
memory for years to come.<br />
I’m delighted that we are now in a<br />
position to ensure everyone can have<br />
their own keepsake souvenir of this<br />
historic occasion.<br />
‘This could not have been possible without<br />
the collective efforts of Leicester-based<br />
Sinvision, Touch Rainbow Productions,<br />
and Sianbetween, whose combined<br />
talents have resulted in a most fi tting<br />
commemorative memento of the games,<br />
and a worthy tribute to the outstanding<br />
achievements of the Special Olympics<br />
GB athletes and Team Orange - the 1,500<br />
volunteers who all pulled together to<br />
make the event possible.’<br />
The Special Olympics 2009 involved<br />
2,700 athletes from 19 UK regions, who<br />
participated in 21 sports across Leicester,<br />
Leicestershire and Rutland, with the<br />
support of 1,200 coaches, over 6,000<br />
HOME<br />
Joinery & Property Maintenance<br />
Interior: Kitchens and Bathrooms<br />
supplied & fi tted plus all<br />
other joinery work<br />
Exterior: Decking, Fencing<br />
and gates<br />
Professional, reliable high<br />
quality tradesman<br />
Call now for free,<br />
no obligation quote<br />
Paul Bates 07739 905360
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 5<br />
families and 1,500 volunteers aged from<br />
16 to 85.<br />
For further details of the DVD and book,<br />
contact David Sinclair on 277 5482,<br />
email info@sinvision.co.uk or visit www.<br />
sinvision.co.uk/SOL2009/DVD.html<br />
HELP FOR NEW YEAR<br />
RELATIONSHIP BLUES<br />
Help is at hand for people experiencing<br />
relationship diffi culties in the New Year<br />
– thanks to Relate Leicestershire.<br />
January is the busiest month of the year<br />
for counsellors at Relate Leicestershire,<br />
who work with families, couples and<br />
children to resolve all kinds of relationship<br />
issues.<br />
Judith Stevenson, Client Services<br />
Manager, said: “New Year is an extremely<br />
busy time for Relate. By January, the<br />
Christmas spirit has worn off, people are<br />
short of money and fed up with the bad<br />
weather. That is when relationship issues<br />
often come to a head, especially when<br />
couples and families have spent a lot of<br />
time together.<br />
“At Relate Leicestershire, we offer<br />
counselling to anyone affected by family<br />
breakdown or confl ict at home, whether<br />
that is couples, children or other family<br />
members. We have trained relationship<br />
counsellors, family counsellors and<br />
young people’s counsellors.”<br />
Counselling sessions take place six<br />
days and four evenings a week at Relate<br />
Leicestershire’s headquarters at Aylestone<br />
Road and at weekly clinics in Ashby,<br />
Coalville, Hinckley, Loughborough,<br />
Lutterworth, Market Harborough and<br />
Oakham.<br />
According to Relate’s relationship<br />
experts, people can take simple steps to<br />
avoid the New Year relationship blues.<br />
Judith added: “The most important thing<br />
is that people make time for each other.<br />
Just by sitting down and enjoying a nice<br />
meal together, families can help to heal<br />
their rifts. Poor communication is at the<br />
bottom of most relationship issues.”<br />
For more information about counselling<br />
services and advice on improving<br />
relationships, contact Relate Leicestershire<br />
on 254 3011 or visit the website at www.<br />
relateleicestershire.org.uk<br />
PUT THE BRAKES ON,<br />
NOW !<br />
So Mr Jennings advises us, in a recent<br />
<strong>Herald</strong>, that our Government recommends<br />
that between 2006 and 2026, the number<br />
of dwellings in <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> should be<br />
increased by 300. By my reckoning, that<br />
works out at an average of 15 per year.<br />
As reported in the same issue of The<br />
<strong>Herald</strong>, Blaby District Council recently<br />
saw fi t to approve the building of 110<br />
dwellings off Borrowcup. Prior to that, 79<br />
dwellings had already received approval<br />
(since 2006), making a grand total of 189<br />
so far towards our “allocation” of 300.<br />
Applying the average of 15 per year,<br />
Blaby District Councils Planning<br />
Committee has now approved 12.6 years<br />
worth of expansion for our village, taking<br />
us well into the year 2018. There should,<br />
therefore, be no reason whatsoever<br />
for them to even consider any further<br />
applications for several years.<br />
What prevents BDCPC from using this<br />
statistic as a reason to reject further<br />
planning applications? Perhaps the<br />
OPENING TIMES TUES to FRI 9 - 6pm<br />
SAT - 8.30 - 5.30pm SUN 9.30 - 2.00pm<br />
Cut Flowers,<br />
Cut Flowers & Seasonal<br />
Seasonal Bedding Plants<br />
Bedding & Compost Plants, Compost<br />
Coal & Logs<br />
Fresh Meat & Poultry<br />
from local farmers<br />
Turkeys & Cockerels<br />
fact that the Council has actually<br />
identifi ed sites for 1750 houses around<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> and developers are aware<br />
of these. But why bother to do this when<br />
the allocation for the area is only 300?<br />
Hallams are likely to appeal against the<br />
rejection of their application for 180<br />
dwellings (12 years worth of growth,<br />
taking us to 2030), Persimmon have<br />
submitted a second application for 150<br />
dwellings (10 years growth taking us up<br />
to 2040) and in the run up to Christmas,<br />
Davidsons presented a proposal to build<br />
a further 120 (bring on 2048 !!)<br />
BDCPC is all too happy to see these<br />
application coming in for our village<br />
because it takes the pressure off other<br />
areas where building may be diffi cult.<br />
The big danger in getting ahead with these<br />
approvals, is that a future Government<br />
revision could possibly be done on a<br />
“wipe the slate and start again” basis<br />
thereby penalising any area that adopts<br />
this policy.<br />
Not only do we need to put on the brakes,<br />
we need an EMERGENCY STOP!<br />
How about a network of villagers, say<br />
one for each road, who are willing to<br />
give up some of their time to deliver vital<br />
information regarding meetings, planning<br />
applications etc. to their neighbours.<br />
Hopefully this could be fed to these<br />
people via our councillors. (The <strong>Herald</strong> is<br />
good for this, but once every two months<br />
could be too slow.) This would hopefully<br />
allow our village to present levels of<br />
protest that truly refl ect our feelings.<br />
Colin Veitch<br />
NATURAL HISTORY AND<br />
HERITAGE IN THE COUNTY<br />
Holly Hayes at Birstall is the home of<br />
the County’s Environmental Resources<br />
Centre and the venue for a series of very<br />
interesting talks exhibitions and training<br />
sessions. Coming soon, on February<br />
2nd they offer ‘Small Mammals in<br />
Leicestershire’, on March 2nd ‘The<br />
Archaeology of Leicestershire Villages’<br />
on March 13th ‘Project Gargoyles’ and<br />
on April 10th ‘Earthworms’. For more<br />
details and to book a place the contact<br />
phone number is 01162671950.<br />
Our local Heritage Wardens are Shirley<br />
Taylor on 2776259 and Simon Skerrit<br />
on 2780477. PatsyP
6 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
2010 PROGRAMME<br />
Our new programme is now ‘out and<br />
about’ –please if you don’t receive a<br />
copy through your door pick one up in<br />
the library, Glebe Garden Centre, the Bite<br />
Gallery 115, Station Road, the Rainbow<br />
Shop or Alliance & Leicester.<br />
Our February highlight and part of<br />
Leicester Comedy Festival is a talk<br />
entitled ‘Life with Steeplejack Fred’ in<br />
which Sheila Dibnah will refl ect on her<br />
life with the famous Fred. Tickets are<br />
available from Glebe Garden Centre on<br />
277 1570 or Active Arts on 277 6259 at<br />
£8 or £6 for concessions and the date<br />
is Friday February 12th, 7.30 p.m. in<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Village Hall. Then on the<br />
27th we are supporting <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
Day of Folk, with activities ranging from<br />
storytelling to Scottish Country Dancing,<br />
folk crafts to a drum workshop. For<br />
more details and a booking form, please<br />
contact 277 6259.<br />
Regular exhibitors will not need<br />
reminding that the Art Exhibition takes<br />
place over the weekend of March 6th and<br />
7th at <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> College, opening<br />
on Saturday from 1 to 5 and on Sunday<br />
from 12 to 4. Please do get in touch if you<br />
would like to exhibit your work – all art<br />
forms welcome especially 3D, just phone<br />
us on 277 6259 or Dorothy and Clive on<br />
277 1882 soon for an entry form.<br />
Then on March 12th we have the ever<br />
popular visit of the Arts in Education<br />
Big Band who usually attract a large and<br />
cheery audience –again tickets available<br />
from Glebe Garden Centre or from<br />
Patersons at home.<br />
Looking further ahead, those interested<br />
in either of our workshops –a portrait<br />
master class for the day of April 17th and<br />
the Willow workshop on June 26th and<br />
27th is advised to think seriously about<br />
booking a place as the response to both<br />
following the publication of the details<br />
has been quite amazing, - and pleasing<br />
for us I should add!<br />
PatsyP<br />
Just a quick footnote to remind readers<br />
that Ali and his staff at the Bite Gallery,<br />
115, Station Road plan to have frequently<br />
changing art exhibitions for us to enjoy<br />
over our refreshments. They also provide<br />
a take away service if that suits you<br />
better.<br />
FOR A FREE QUOTATION FROM YOUR QUALIFIED,<br />
COUNTESTHORPE BASED TREE SURGEON CALL<br />
COUNTESTHORPE<br />
WWW SINGERS<br />
We are a friendly group of ladies who just<br />
enjoy singing. We meet on Wednesday<br />
evenings during term time in the music<br />
room at <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> College from 7pm<br />
until 9pm. (We do make a small charge<br />
to cover costs)<br />
We are currently looking for more ladies<br />
to join us. There are no auditions. The<br />
only criteria are that you enjoy singing,<br />
and can sing in tune.<br />
We perform 2-3 concerts a year and are<br />
fortunate to have Will Welsford as our<br />
Musical Director.<br />
If you would like to give us a try, just<br />
come along on Wednesday at 7pm or ring<br />
Rosey on: 2867133.<br />
ACOUSTIC SOUNDS<br />
ARE BACK !!<br />
Thank you to all local residents who<br />
supported our Charity concert in October.<br />
We thought you’d like to know that we<br />
raised £750, after expenses, which went<br />
to the MS Society (Leicester Branch)<br />
New Building Fund.<br />
They opened their new building in<br />
November, and it was lovely to see the<br />
money we raised go towards such a great<br />
new place.<br />
We had a wonderful response from the<br />
audience at the end of the evening, and<br />
many requests to come back! So, we are<br />
currently rehearsing for our next concert,<br />
with most of the same performers, on<br />
April 17th again at the College.<br />
Tickets will again be £7.50 (from Debbie,<br />
2775117) look out for the posters around<br />
the village nearer the time.<br />
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FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 7<br />
SUCH A COMFY FEELING<br />
FOR LOCAL SINGER<br />
There aren’t many nans who can stare<br />
above the fi replace to see a picture of<br />
their grandson onstage at the Royal<br />
Albert Hall. But singer Jersey Budd’s<br />
nan can. Unsurprisingly, the photo is<br />
in pride of place at Marjorie’s home in<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, a stone’s throw from the<br />
house where Jersey grew up.<br />
The past year has been a whirlwind for<br />
our Jers, who played the legendary venue<br />
before he’d released his debut album.<br />
Then there was Glastonbury, the headline<br />
slot at a tribute festival to idol Bob Dylan,<br />
tours with pals Kasabian and The Rifl es...<br />
well, you can see he’s been busy.<br />
Plans for a second album to follow up<br />
Wonderlands are under way, and this time<br />
round, be prepared for a rockier sound.<br />
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” says Jersey.<br />
“After playing the album live with big<br />
guitars you get the bug for it and you want<br />
to take that sound into the studio.”<br />
Any hopes for the New Year? “Hopefully<br />
the venues will get bigger,” he says.<br />
From Leicester Mercury<br />
KASABIAN<br />
NOMINATED FOR TWO<br />
BRIT AWARDS<br />
Local heroes Kasabian have been<br />
nominated for two Brit Awards. The<br />
lads are up for best British group and<br />
best British album for West Ryder<br />
Pauper Lunatic Asylum. They will also<br />
be performing at the February 16 awards<br />
ceremony alongside Lady Gaga, Dizzee<br />
Rascal and Florence And The Machine.<br />
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HELIX NEAR SELL OUT FIRST VISIT<br />
The Helix Ensemble’s fi rst visit to St<br />
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out. Wearing slick, all black, outfi ts (no<br />
stuffy dinner jackets here!) the immediate<br />
message to the audience was that they<br />
were in for an effervescent feast of<br />
music.<br />
Musical Director Richard Davis inspired<br />
the ensemble with his fl owing tempo<br />
changes (“Mendelessohn’s Hebrides<br />
Overture should make you feel seasick”)<br />
and care over orchestral colour<br />
and intonation.<br />
The Helix Ensemble enjoy programming<br />
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repertoire. The concert included the fi rst<br />
performance of Ivor Hodgson’s “Song<br />
and Dance”. Skilfully orchestrated, the<br />
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lyrical “Song” (including some attractive<br />
legato bassoon playing) was followed by<br />
a very lively and tuneful “Dance”.<br />
Another Helix Ensemble tradition is to<br />
draw soloists from within the ensemble.<br />
In this case the accomplished Jo Conquest<br />
played Malcolm Arnold’s second fl ute<br />
concerto. Taking advantage of Richard<br />
Davis’ intimate knowledge of the work<br />
(he is principal fl autist with the BBC<br />
Philharmonic) Ms Conquest perfectly<br />
captured the wispy nature of Malcolm<br />
Arnold’s finale as well as proving<br />
completely at ease with the technical<br />
challenges of the faster, movements.<br />
The concert ended with Mendelssohn’s<br />
Italian Symphony. Again, Richard Davis<br />
gave this an individual interpretation,<br />
whilst remaining true to the composers<br />
musical aims. The positive audience<br />
response suggests that they had<br />
appreciated the quality of the evening’s<br />
entertainment.www.helixensemble.<br />
co.uk Roger Swann - roger@cigol.com
8 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
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We are ‘A Place to Grow’ at Enderby.<br />
APTG is a community garden project<br />
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individuals and groups. We recently were<br />
runners-up in the national Guardian Public<br />
Services Awards 2009 in the Complex<br />
Needs category. People with disabilities<br />
and health problems work alongside<br />
volunteers to produce vegetables and<br />
fl owers. Groups including people of all<br />
ages from the very young to the not so<br />
young use APTG. These include schools,<br />
U3A and Homestart. Our new projects<br />
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UNWANTED PRESENTS<br />
OR SALE PURCHASES?<br />
“After the festive season, many people<br />
will be contemplating how they will<br />
get rid of unwanted presents or dispose<br />
of household furniture in order to<br />
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the sales. Age Concern is the answer!”<br />
says Tony Donovan of the local Age<br />
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The credit crunch is affecting stocks<br />
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Tony Donovan, the charity’s executive<br />
director, added: “It’s a Catch - 22! On<br />
the one hand, more people are saving<br />
money in these diffi cult times by buying<br />
the high quality goods which we sell,<br />
whilst on the other, traditional donors<br />
are apparently more inclined to ‘make<br />
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charity’s shops. Items can be delivered<br />
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quantities or large items such as furniture<br />
can be collected from homes by calling<br />
2781208.<br />
SHELTERBOX TEAM ON THE GROUND:<br />
“THERE IS NO MORE HAITI”<br />
Aid workers for the international disaster<br />
relief charity ShelterBox are on the<br />
ground in Port au Prince, Haiti.<br />
ShelterBox Response Team arrived in the<br />
island’s capital on January 14 and quickly<br />
made contact with government offi cials,<br />
ACTED and Rotarians in the country.<br />
The Response Team, who are completely<br />
self-suffi cient, then set up base with the<br />
help of a Haitian Rotarian.<br />
Speaking from Port au Prince, David<br />
Eby said: ‘We’re working hard to resolve<br />
security, logistics and communications.<br />
The city is totally devastated. Our host<br />
told us, “There is no more Haiti .”<br />
The situation on the ground remains<br />
fraught with the damaged infrastructure<br />
in Haiti hampering the aid effort but<br />
ShelterBox is doing everything within<br />
its power to ensure aid reaches Haiti<br />
imminently.<br />
ShelterBox’s Head of Operations John<br />
Leach said: ‘Our priority is now getting<br />
logistics in and doing all we can to get it<br />
on the island. We’re sending a ShelterBox
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 9<br />
Logistics team into Miami to work and<br />
coordinate logistics into Haiti from<br />
there.’<br />
ShelterBox’s Logistics Manager Richard<br />
Lewis added: ‘We’re doing everything<br />
we can to make sure emergency aid<br />
reaches the people of Haiti.<br />
‘The situation is changing by the minute<br />
and we’re exploring every single avenue<br />
available to us in order to make sure<br />
the aid gets on the ground as quickly as<br />
possible.’<br />
The ShelterBox Logistics team, made<br />
up of SRT members Mark Dyer (US),<br />
John Lacquey (US) and Ian Neal (UK),<br />
will meet a consignment of ShelterBoxes<br />
being fl own into Miami, USA and run the<br />
logistics into Haiti from there.<br />
930 ShelterBoxes have already been<br />
dispatched and are en route to Haiti while<br />
another 1,000 are being packed today at<br />
ShelterBox HQ by ShelterBox’s team of<br />
volunteers. Virgin Atlantic are supporting<br />
the relief effort by fl ying hundreds of the<br />
ShelterBoxes on their planes.<br />
Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin<br />
Atlantic, said: ‘Everyone who has seen<br />
the sheer destruction in Haiti over the last<br />
few days will have been moved to help<br />
in any way they can.<br />
‘We will fl y in as much aid as possible<br />
so that the agencies on the ground can<br />
respond to the needs of everyone in Haiti<br />
whose lives have been devastated by this<br />
tragedy.’<br />
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10 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
LETTERS<br />
TO THE EDITOR<br />
THANK YOU<br />
I would just like to say a big ‘Thank You’<br />
to everyone at <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Methodists<br />
Church for their Children’s Christmas<br />
Party held on 29th November 2009.<br />
All of the children who attended the party<br />
had a great time. At the beginning there<br />
was a puppet show, showing an alternative<br />
version of the Christmas Story. Next on<br />
the agenda was fun and games, before a<br />
superb Christmas buffet.<br />
The icing on the cake was a visit from<br />
Father Christmas himself where all of<br />
the children received a gift.<br />
My children had a great time at the party.<br />
Many many thanks to the Methodist<br />
church for organising this party, it was<br />
hugely successful.<br />
Andrew Scott<br />
Dear <strong>Herald</strong>,<br />
I am writing to you as a concerned village<br />
resident.<br />
We all know the problems regarding the<br />
youths that can congregate in certain<br />
areas of the village. Bus shelters, car<br />
parks and like moths to a light, the front<br />
of the shops at the bank in the middle on<br />
the village.<br />
Now for the most part when they sit<br />
chatting there are no problems, but when<br />
they grow in numbers and become more<br />
boisterous they pose somewhat more of<br />
nuisance.<br />
Many a time with their BMX stunts they<br />
look like they could fl y through the large<br />
windows of the shops, which, not only<br />
causing damage to themselves would<br />
pose a large cost to the business owner.<br />
But it is now with the latest case of what<br />
I regard as criminal damage that I feel I<br />
should write to hopefully highlight to the<br />
parents what their children are getting<br />
up to.<br />
The large posts to the front of the shops<br />
on the bank (under the fl ats) have always<br />
been unsightly to look at. But, recently<br />
there has been a contractor working<br />
there stripping them down and rendering<br />
them good. No doubt to the cost of the<br />
businesses there and the residents of the<br />
fl ats.<br />
Having worked hard and nearly fi nished<br />
the mortaring of all the posts imagine my<br />
disgust on the evening of Monday 23rd<br />
November to stroll past to fi nd all but one<br />
of the posts damaged quite severely.<br />
Names written in the softer mortar, we<br />
know who you are now, mortar ripped<br />
from the steel retainers, the corners on<br />
some bashed with what could only be a<br />
bat of some sorts.<br />
Hasten to say a thorough mess of<br />
someone’s hard work in making a part<br />
of the village more attractive.<br />
Now, my biggest quandary is what do<br />
the local parents think of this? It is your<br />
children causing the damage. Are you<br />
just happy that they’re not on your front<br />
damaging your surroundings?<br />
Do you walk / drive past the location see<br />
your child and even pay a thought to what<br />
they may be getting up to?<br />
The damage when caused would not<br />
have been quiet, it would not have been<br />
unnoticeable, do we all just walk on<br />
by now and let the younger generation<br />
vandalise a village we pay good money<br />
for in house prices and taxes?<br />
This sort of problem stretches further<br />
than unruly youths, it a sign of the society<br />
to come.<br />
Village Resident (name & address supplied)<br />
Lost Cat<br />
I am not sure whether you can help, but<br />
we moved into the area in December, just<br />
off The Chestnuts and one of our cats has<br />
gone missing, he disappeared on 16th<br />
December. He is a large pussy cat, black<br />
and white 8 years old and answers to the<br />
name of Marshall, he is recognizable by<br />
his tail, which goes along his back as<br />
apposed to straight up. He is friendly,<br />
but a little nervous, if anyone spots him<br />
please could they call Janet of Kevin on<br />
07528840457.<br />
Dear Editor<br />
I read the letter in your last edition from<br />
Councillor David Pollard, the Liberal<br />
Democrat Councillor for Blaby. I was<br />
surprised by the letter since it was<br />
blatantly Party political and I think it a pity<br />
that your community newspaper should<br />
be used in such a way. Nevertheless, I<br />
feel that it is appropriate for me, as the<br />
representative of <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> in our<br />
national Parliament, to respond.<br />
Councillor Pollard’s letter spoke about the<br />
large number of housing developments in<br />
the <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> and indeed throughout<br />
Blaby District. He particularly spoke of<br />
“the background to these applications”<br />
and blamed Conservative Councillors at<br />
Blaby for this. This is not fair.<br />
The broader background to these<br />
applications is a simple one. The Labour<br />
Government is predicting that housing<br />
demand is likely to mean that there is<br />
a requirement for some three million<br />
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FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 11<br />
new homes by 2020. The Government<br />
is now demanding that local authorities<br />
make provision for this new housing.<br />
The question has to be why there is this<br />
demand. There are several reasons.<br />
There is the requirement for replacement<br />
of some poor stock – new stock should,<br />
one hopes, be better insulated and<br />
more environmentally friendly; there<br />
is an increase in the number of people<br />
living alone in single households, partly<br />
because of divorce; there is the issue of<br />
longevity so that people are living longer<br />
in their own houses – something I am sure<br />
we all welcome.<br />
However, the biggest reason is immigration<br />
into this country. Although it has been<br />
played down by the Government, when<br />
there are over 200,000 immigrants nett<br />
coming to this country, as have done<br />
over two of the last three years, there is<br />
of course a hugely increased demand.<br />
Indeed at that rate, there is a need to<br />
build a city the size of Birmingham every<br />
fi ve years. Incidentally, these fi gures do<br />
not take account of illegal immigration<br />
– and nobody has a clue how many illegal<br />
immigrants there are in the country.<br />
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Whilst understanding the desire of<br />
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what strain population growth of this<br />
nature puts on national infrastructure.<br />
At the moment it is predicted that the<br />
population will grow to 70 million in<br />
the UK by 2050, a fact which does not<br />
concern the Immigration Minister.<br />
We believe that the Labour Government<br />
has completely lost control of<br />
immigration into this country. Readers<br />
of your newspaper may have their<br />
own ideas, but they will be aware<br />
that the Liberal Democrats typically<br />
support the Government’s failed stance<br />
on immigration. The Conservatives<br />
fought the last Election on “controlled<br />
immigration” but, unfortunately, lost.<br />
When the next General Election comes<br />
this year, Conservative policy will be<br />
similar, advocating a much tighter and<br />
controlled immigration system, with<br />
a firm but fair system which allows<br />
some new arrivals, on a quota basis, but<br />
restores control over the large number of<br />
people that have been coming here over<br />
the last twelve years. This will have a<br />
signifi cant impact on housing demand<br />
and I hope will lead to reduced demand<br />
for building in <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> – and<br />
across the country.<br />
A few years ago, the Association of<br />
Liberal Democrat Councillors published<br />
a campaign document entitled Effective<br />
Opposition, which significantly said<br />
on page 21 that Liberal Democrats<br />
should “Be wicked, act shamelessly, stir<br />
endlessly”. On page 23 it says “Don’t<br />
be afraid to exaggerate”. According to<br />
Liberal Democrat documents, they want<br />
a “liberal approach to immigration” and<br />
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in November their policy was that there<br />
would be “no limits” on immigration.<br />
Might I suggest that Councillor Pollard<br />
says whether he supports Liberal<br />
Democrat policy before writing again to<br />
the <strong>Herald</strong> to make such Party political<br />
points. If he does, there will certainly<br />
continue to be increased demand for new<br />
housing across Leicestershire.<br />
Yours faithfully, Andrew Robathan MP<br />
Dear Sir<br />
My attention has been drawn to a letter<br />
from a Blaby District Councillor, Cllr<br />
Pollard, offering observations on local<br />
planning issues. However the letter seems<br />
to be more intent on causing political<br />
mischief and contains many inaccuracies.<br />
I think <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> residents deserve<br />
better.<br />
The document referred to in the letter,<br />
The Strategic Housing Land Availability<br />
Assessment (SHLAA), was prepared<br />
by Blaby District Council planning<br />
officers as part of the evidence base<br />
of the new Local Plan, now called the<br />
Local Development Framework. Blaby<br />
planning offi cers had no choice about<br />
this, Government guidance requires<br />
them to produce a SHLAA and to assess<br />
any piece of land within the District for<br />
its suitability for housing development,<br />
if requested by an owner or developer.<br />
Once done the guidance required that<br />
the document be published. This was<br />
done by posting the information on the<br />
Council’s website.<br />
It should be emphasised that the SHLAA<br />
is NOT a decision making document and<br />
does NOT allocate land for housing.<br />
At no time has the document been<br />
discussed, agreed, endorsed or accepted<br />
by the Blaby Cabinet or Council, and as<br />
is made clear in the document itself<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
& OFFICE SPACE<br />
Negotiable and fl exible space<br />
in a village workshop available<br />
to rent. Reduce your costs and<br />
travel by sharing locally.<br />
Phone 277 1808 to arrange<br />
inspection or discuss<br />
possibilities.<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, Blaby & District<br />
Independent Funeral Directors<br />
Providing a caring, professional and sympathetic<br />
service, before, during and after the funeral.<br />
24hr - 7 day service<br />
Dedicated Chapel of Rest, Catering Suite<br />
Please telephone 278 9124 for further information and advice.<br />
1-3 Central Street, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, Leicester LE8 5QJ<br />
also at 753 Ayelstone Road, Leicester Tel: 283 2500
12 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
the fact that a piece of land appears<br />
in the document does not confer on it<br />
any special status and an application to<br />
develop it would still need to be tested<br />
alongside the development framework as<br />
with any other piece of land.<br />
Proposing specifi c sites for housing is the<br />
role of a future ‘Allocations’ Document<br />
which will be prepared by the District<br />
Council. <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> residents will<br />
have the opportunity to make their views<br />
known on the Allocations Document to<br />
the District Council before it is submitted<br />
to the Government for independent<br />
examination.<br />
Ernie White, Leader Blaby District Council<br />
Dear Editor<br />
I write to correct the misleading and untrue<br />
letter from Blaby District Councillor<br />
David Pollard (<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> <strong>Herald</strong> No.<br />
264 - December 2009).<br />
It relates to the Blaby District Council<br />
Strategic Land Availability Assessment<br />
(SHLAA) . This document was compiled<br />
in accordance with guidance issued by<br />
the Department of Communities and<br />
Local Goverment. Every Local Authority<br />
is required to have one. It has NEVER<br />
been adopted as council policy by Blaby<br />
District Council. It has only been noted,<br />
as a consultative document.<br />
What is a SHLAA? It is a list of potential<br />
sites which could be developed, NOT<br />
a list of land that will be developed.<br />
A letter to all Blaby District Council<br />
members from Councillor Ernie White<br />
(Leader of the Council) dated 24th March<br />
2009 states: Members are not being<br />
asked to support, endorse or approve the<br />
SHLAA itself only that it is published as<br />
part of the evidence base for the Local<br />
Development Framework.<br />
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Who compiled the SHLAA? This is listed<br />
in the document itself. It states that the<br />
SHLAA process has been guided by the<br />
Leicester and Leicestershire Steering<br />
Group consisting of:<br />
Local Authority (and County)<br />
Planning Offi cers<br />
Local Authority Housing Offi cers<br />
A representative from the Home<br />
Builders Federation<br />
A representative from the<br />
English Partnerships<br />
A representative from the<br />
Housing Corporation<br />
A Registered Social Landlord<br />
Hardly a list brimming with Conservative<br />
Councillors! Nor of any other political<br />
group. May I now draw Councillor<br />
Pollard’s attention to the very latest<br />
edition of the Blaby District Council<br />
Members Bulletin. There is mention of<br />
the SHLAA in it. IT clearly states: It is<br />
important to note that the document is<br />
not a decision making document. It is a<br />
technical document that forms part of the<br />
Local Development Framework evidence<br />
base, and as such, it does NOT allocate<br />
land for housing.<br />
I deeply regret David Pollard’s attempt<br />
to bring politics into planning. This<br />
must not happen. If Councillors start to<br />
embark on Party Political lines regarding<br />
planning issues, they will have failed to<br />
represent the people who elected them.<br />
All our villages are under attack. While<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> is required to provide 300<br />
new homes, Blaby village is required to<br />
provide 375.<br />
I welcome Councillor Pollard’s support<br />
to my efforts to protect the Green Wedges<br />
around our villages. This is a time to put<br />
aside Party loyalties and face the common<br />
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enemy. United We Stand, Divided We<br />
Fall! Councillor Pollard would do well<br />
to remember these words.<br />
David Jennings, Councillor<br />
NEWS FROM THE W.I<br />
In our November meeting Ann Halsey<br />
spoke passionately of the work of the<br />
Baldwin Trust. This group have canal<br />
boats that have been adapted to suit<br />
people with special needs and the trust<br />
arranges for many groups to explore our<br />
waterways during the summer months.<br />
The December meeting put us all in the<br />
mood for Christmas with a talk by Mike<br />
Bull on the history of the Little Theatre,<br />
it is amazing what goes on behind the<br />
scenes. We rounded the evening off by<br />
singing carols.<br />
We have a very varied programme for the<br />
coming year, from Ice Cream in February<br />
to Ladybird Books in August plus much<br />
more We meet the 2nd Monday of each<br />
month at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall and<br />
visitors are more than welcome.<br />
Dorothy Wells<br />
HERALD COMMUNITY ADVERTISING<br />
THE RAINBOW SHOP<br />
(supporting the work of Christian Aid)<br />
Your local charity shop selling<br />
good-as-new clothes, books,<br />
bric-a-brac, videos, DVDs<br />
fairly traded goods, wholefood<br />
& environmentally-friendly products.<br />
Opening hours<br />
Mon to Fri 10am. to 12 noon<br />
Tues and Thurs 2pm. to 4pm.<br />
Sat 10am. to 3pm.<br />
1 Main Street, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 13<br />
TWINNING<br />
NEWS<br />
At the time of writing the snow lies on the<br />
ground but we can still plan for sunnier<br />
events and we are looking forward to the<br />
visit from our friends over in Mennecy.<br />
This is our twin town near to Paris and we<br />
look forward to a visit on Thursday 13th<br />
May 2010, when they will be fl ying over<br />
to spend a long and pleasant weekend<br />
with us.<br />
Mennecy is also twinned with Renningen<br />
in Germany and we have an invitation<br />
from Renningen to visit them in June<br />
this summer. We are as yet unsure what<br />
response this invitation will get but we<br />
expect that some of us may be taking the<br />
offer up.<br />
In the meantime we have various activities<br />
to share. Just before Christmas we put<br />
together a beautiful Christmas tree for<br />
the Foston festival. This was themed<br />
on angels and we had a workshop<br />
to construct all manner of weird and<br />
wonderful angels.<br />
We will also be meeting on 23rd January<br />
when a selection of cheeses and wines<br />
will be enjoyed by members. Regrettably<br />
this note will not be going out in time for<br />
readers to join us.<br />
If you wish to find out more about<br />
twinning or want to get in touch with<br />
us please feel free to contact any of the<br />
committee or E-mail us on countesthorpe.<br />
twinning@gmail.com.<br />
David Wild (Secretary)<br />
Member of The National Association of Professional Inspectors & Testers<br />
E.G. ELECTRICAL<br />
DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL<br />
CONTRACTORS<br />
All Electrical Work Undertaken<br />
Government Endorsed Standards<br />
Inspection and testing<br />
Landlord Certifications<br />
All Work Guaranteed<br />
HERALD QUIZ<br />
The rules are simple – teams of three<br />
villagers (preferably entered before by<br />
phoning Elaine Cooke on 277 4422) are<br />
required on the evening of Friday March<br />
12th in the Cricket Club ready to take part<br />
in a pencil and paper pub style quiz for<br />
the fi rst part of the evening. You need<br />
to arrive hungry to enjoy the delicious<br />
supper always provided in the interval<br />
then most can sit back while the top four<br />
teams play out the semi fi nals then the<br />
fi nal to see who will hold the <strong>Herald</strong><br />
plaque for the next year!<br />
It is a very sociable evening and it is<br />
always good to see so many organisations<br />
represented – and our thanks are due to<br />
the Cricket Club for making their room<br />
available.<br />
I almost forgot the other rule –the<br />
Question master’s decision is always<br />
right except when proved wrong!<br />
VILLAGE WEBSITE<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> village website has<br />
undergone a facelift and has a new look<br />
and feel. The website still contains<br />
useful information on the businesses and<br />
amenities in the village as well as some<br />
interesting information on walks around<br />
the countryside, sports and recreation and<br />
news around the area and further afi eld.<br />
The site aims to give a balanced view of<br />
what happens in our lovely village and<br />
the things that may affect us all.<br />
If you have any old photographs or<br />
information you would like to be included<br />
on the site or if your business is not on<br />
already, email countesthorpe.info@<br />
virgin.net. Steve Goodall<br />
HOUSING ADVICE ON<br />
YOUR DOORSTEP<br />
Staff from Blaby District Council will<br />
be running a monthly housing surgery<br />
at Blaby Farmers’ Market to offer advice<br />
to people struggling with debt and other<br />
issues during the economic downturn.<br />
Offi cers from the housing options team<br />
and South Leicestershire Citizens Advice<br />
Bureau (SLCAB) will be available at the<br />
Joint Service Shop, Forge Corner, from<br />
9.30 – 12.30 on the fourth Saturday of<br />
each month to give information on:<br />
• The Mortgage Rescue Scheme<br />
• Homelessness prevention<br />
• Debt<br />
• Rent Payment plans to clear arrears<br />
• Deposit loans for rented properties<br />
• Landlord/tenant issues<br />
• Harassment and illegal evictions<br />
• Housing rights<br />
• Relationship breakdowns<br />
Vijay Jethwa, housing and private sector<br />
manager at the Council said: “It is<br />
important that the advice and information<br />
we can offer is accessible to all and that’s<br />
why we are taking our services out to the<br />
local community.<br />
“This is a chance for people who may<br />
be experiencing hard times to talk<br />
through their housing issues with trained<br />
members of staff.”<br />
For more information on housing options<br />
advice and information from Blaby<br />
District Council please call 272 7770.<br />
PART<br />
APPROVED<br />
ALSO<br />
INTRUDER ALARMS<br />
ACCESS CONTROL<br />
CCTV SYSTEMS<br />
FIRE ALARMS<br />
For FREE Quotations and Advice<br />
call Aaron Granger or Carl Elliot on<br />
0116 257 0450 : 07810 882438 : 0778 553856
14 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
Charity No. 293039<br />
PHONE<br />
SHAPED<br />
CALLING CARD<br />
This phone is designed by Giles Towning<br />
and is a novel way to give your phone<br />
number to someone.<br />
I hope you enjoy it, and thanks to Giles<br />
for the model.<br />
There are lots of origami instruction<br />
videos available on internet, just put<br />
‘origami video’ and the model you want<br />
into Google , very often you will fi nd<br />
something, good luck.<br />
Penny Groom<br />
NEW LOOK LOOS TO<br />
BE OPENED IN BLABY<br />
Blaby District Council have improved<br />
and extended the public conveniences<br />
in Johns Court car park after asking 500<br />
people what changes they thought should<br />
be made to the tired looking toilets.<br />
Baby changing facilities, sensor<br />
controlled taps and eco-friendly solar<br />
lighting are just some of the features<br />
which have now been installed to bring<br />
the facility up to date.<br />
The toilets are behind Johns Court<br />
shopping precinct and will be open from<br />
8am - 6pm Monday – Saturday.<br />
The refurbishment is part of the Council’s<br />
Car Parking Strategy which saw charges<br />
introduced last year for people using car<br />
parks across the district, and this is now<br />
helping to fund improvements to car park<br />
facilities.<br />
SEASON’S<br />
Driving School<br />
Roland Howard, A.D.I., D.O.T.<br />
Gift Vouchers Available<br />
Start within a week<br />
PassPlus Instructor<br />
Refresher Lessons<br />
Motorway Tuition<br />
TELEPHONE: 277 2018<br />
Mobile: 07890 162817<br />
4 The Hawthorns, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> LE8 5RY<br />
DIVORCE:<br />
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“Job well done, my<br />
thanks to all.”<br />
Mr G., Wigston<br />
44 Long Street, Wigston LE18 2AH<br />
www.lawson-west.co.uk
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 15<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
CULTURAL FESTIVAL<br />
Community Action Blaby District is<br />
holding a Community Cultural Festival at<br />
Brockington College on Wednesday 17th<br />
February between 6 -8.30pm.<br />
As well as providing an enjoyable evening<br />
of entertainment, the aim of the festival is<br />
to raise awareness of the range of cultural<br />
backgrounds of the people living in our<br />
communities in Blaby District.<br />
There will be activities such as Chinese<br />
Dancing, Japanese writing, a chance<br />
to try Belly Dancing, and a lot more,<br />
including craft activities for children.<br />
This event is FREE and is open to<br />
everyone, from all backgrounds of life.<br />
The doors open for the public at 5.45<br />
and will start at 6pm with a Chinese<br />
Lion dance to celebrate the Chinese<br />
New Year.<br />
For more details of the event, or if you<br />
would like to contribute to making this<br />
event a success and having a stall to<br />
promote your culture, then please call<br />
Darren Walker on 2727669 or email<br />
Darren@vabd.org.uk<br />
POTTERTON EXPLAINS<br />
HOW THE BOILER<br />
SCRAPPAGE SCHEME<br />
WORKS<br />
Most of us don’t notice our boiler at<br />
all, and it gives us years of warmth and<br />
hot water. However, recent news of the<br />
introduction of a boiler scrappage scheme<br />
has brought this otherwise ignored white<br />
box to our attention. Why should we be<br />
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For your FREE market appraisal...<br />
Telephone: 0116<br />
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4 9 Leicester Road, Wigston, Leics. LE18 1NR<br />
It is not Harrison Murray’s policy to accept instructions where there is already a<br />
Sole Agency Agreement in existence, until that Agreement has expired or is terminated.<br />
interested in replacing a boiler that may<br />
be over 10 years old but is still in good<br />
working order?<br />
If your boiler has a permanent pilot light<br />
or is over 10 years old, it is likely to be G<br />
rated. That means it is less than 70 per<br />
cent effi cient. A new high effi ciency A<br />
rated boiler is over 90 per cent effi cient,<br />
which means you will get over 20 per<br />
cent more heat and hot water from your<br />
fuel. And that could reduce your fuel<br />
bills by up to £235 a year. In addition,<br />
it will substantially reduce your home’s<br />
carbon footprint.<br />
The boiler scrappage scheme has been<br />
introduced is to provide a grant of £400<br />
toward the cost of replacing old G<br />
rated boilers with new A rated models.<br />
The grant will be available to 125,000<br />
households in England and The Energy<br />
Saving Trust is responsible for the<br />
administration of the scheme.<br />
Householders and landlords who privately<br />
own and rent dwellings heated by G rated<br />
boilers are eligible to apply, on a fi rst<br />
come, fi rst served basis.<br />
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY BOILER<br />
IS G RATED?<br />
If you have a Potterton boiler, there is<br />
list of G rated boilers on the website at<br />
www.potterton.co.uk/boiler-scrappagescheme<br />
The Energy Saving Trust website (www.<br />
energysavingtrust.org.uk) also has<br />
information to help you identify if your<br />
boiler is eligible.<br />
HOW DO I APPLY?<br />
Before you call the Energy Saving Trust<br />
to register your interest in applying for<br />
the grant, you will need to get a quote<br />
from a Gas Safe registered installer, to<br />
replace your G rated boiler with a new<br />
A rated boiler.<br />
Your installer will be able to specify the<br />
best type and output of boiler for your<br />
home. Potterton has one of the most<br />
extensive and reliable range of A rated<br />
boilers on the market.<br />
Then you need to contact Energy Saving<br />
Trust either by emailing boilerscrappage@<br />
est.org.uk or by calling their ACT ON<br />
CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012.<br />
The £400 vouchers will be issued from<br />
18 January 2010. You will receive the<br />
voucher approximately ten days after<br />
application. Vouchers are valid for 12<br />
weeks from the date of issue. If the<br />
voucher is not redeemed within this<br />
time, it will be cancelled and reallocated.<br />
Only one voucher per household will be<br />
issued, but if the voucher expires, it will<br />
be possible to apply for another if funds<br />
are available.<br />
Once you’ve received the voucher, you<br />
can go ahead with the installation. You’ll<br />
have to pay the installer when the work is<br />
completed, and then claim back the £400<br />
by sending the invoice and voucher to<br />
the Energy Saving Trust. You’ll get your<br />
£400 rebate within 25 working days.<br />
Please note that installations made before<br />
you get your voucher will invalidate your<br />
claim and you will no longer be eligible<br />
to receive the £400 rebate.<br />
SCAMNESTY<br />
Help target those Scam traders by<br />
handing in any scam letters you have<br />
recieved to your local library.<br />
Scam Bins will be left in all libraries and<br />
mobile libraries throughout Leicestershire<br />
for the month of February.<br />
Website: www.leics.gov.uk/libraries
16 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES<br />
EPIPHANY:<br />
COMING OF THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST<br />
Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas<br />
season which is usually counted from<br />
the evening of December 25th until the<br />
morning of January 6th, which is the<br />
Twelfth Day. The term epiphany means<br />
“to show” or “to make known” or even<br />
“to reveal”. In churches, it remembers<br />
the coming of the Wise Men bringing<br />
gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so<br />
doing “reveal” Jesus to the world as Lord<br />
and King.<br />
The popular story for Epiphany Sunday<br />
is from the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12),<br />
where some mysterious figures from<br />
the East play an important role. It was<br />
long believed that one day the wise and<br />
powerful of the world would come to<br />
Israel, acknowledge its God, and share<br />
in the blessings that God had bestowed<br />
on Israel (see Isaiah 60:1-6). It makes<br />
sense, then, that these wise ones from the<br />
East would seek out the newborn King<br />
of the Jews.<br />
Thus, the biblical story leads us to ponder<br />
the meaning of visitors from the very<br />
places in the world that we seem to fear<br />
most right now. In Matthew’s story of<br />
God at work in the world - the good<br />
news, the Gospel - these foreigners,<br />
these gentiles, represent us, where Jesus<br />
commands his disciples to “Go, make<br />
disciples of all nations”. We are in this<br />
big picture, this tradition of hope rooted<br />
in the prophets and embodied by Jesus<br />
Christ himself.<br />
This tradition of hope speaks of a<br />
different time, not the time of Herod but<br />
a time of restoration and peace, a time<br />
of a great feast at which all of God’s<br />
children will gather and there will be<br />
plenty for everyone and everyone will<br />
be welcome.<br />
This beautiful story of the Wise Men<br />
from the East, so long ago, bearing<br />
extravagant gifts for a king and being<br />
overwhelmed with joy, is not just a nice<br />
little story that decorates our Nativity sets<br />
and Christmas cards. This little story is<br />
part of a larger story that holds within it<br />
the suffering of the world.<br />
Years ago, a Christian church leader<br />
in China named Wang Weifan wrote<br />
about the three Wise Men from the East:<br />
“Christ, the saviour of humankind, is the<br />
great light that shines upon all peoples.<br />
But the very fi rst to be called to worship<br />
the holy infant were the Wise Men from<br />
the East. Why them, in particular? Was<br />
SAVE time, tax and tears<br />
Do you know who will inherit your estate?<br />
How much Inheritance Tax will you have to pay?<br />
Will the council sell your home to pay for your care?<br />
What will it cost to settle your estate?<br />
it that the ancient cultures of the East<br />
had received more of God’s revelation<br />
and were thus better prepared to accept<br />
Christ? Or was it that the East stood<br />
in greater need of Christ because of<br />
the endless river of tears which is its<br />
history?”<br />
SCRIPTURE<br />
GUIDES US<br />
The Magi follow a star, guided by God,<br />
looking to nature for signs and guidance.<br />
God would also provide direction through<br />
a dream but it’s signifi cant that they’re<br />
also helped by scripture, when they hear<br />
from the religious authorities who know<br />
right where to look for the answer. We<br />
need scripture and personal experience,<br />
and the Christian community that helps us<br />
understand all those gifts. Then, like the<br />
Magi, we’re drawn to worship the One<br />
we seek. Without scripture we would be<br />
like the Wise Men, “who were aware that<br />
something had happened”. Just being a<br />
biblical scholar isn’t enough, either: the<br />
chief priests and the scribes missed the<br />
meaning of the text, and Herod turns to<br />
scripture to use it for his own panicked<br />
purposes. One can, like Herod, be in<br />
favour of studying the scripture and<br />
still be on the wrong side of God’s will.<br />
There’s a challenging thought at the<br />
beginning of this New Year!<br />
The Revd Nutan Suray<br />
Methodist Church<br />
To find out the facts, call me, Robert Abell MIPW on tel. 01162-784862<br />
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whilst adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage Principles<br />
from the age of 2.<br />
Sessions:- Monday– Friday 9.00am—12noon<br />
Waiting list available from birth<br />
Nappy changing facilities available if required<br />
Please Contact Maree Flude on 07802 854629 or call in<br />
The Cornerstone, Main Street, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, Leicestershire. LE8 5PQ
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 17<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
Methodist Church<br />
Notes from Sheila Howell and Angie Skerritt<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
MEMORIES<br />
Although Christmas seems a long while<br />
ago the memories linger. Last December<br />
we invited the different groups who use<br />
our church premises during the week<br />
to decorate a Christmas tree which we<br />
provided. They joined in with enthusiasm<br />
and each tree stood in the windows in<br />
the chapel. It wasn’t a Christmas Tree<br />
Festival but people were invited to call<br />
in on the two Saturdays before Christmas<br />
and see the trees and perhaps stay for a<br />
cup of tea. The trees looked very pretty;<br />
they were most imaginatively decorated<br />
and we do thank the groups for all their<br />
efforts - they were much appreciated.<br />
As last year, we joined with St Andrew’s<br />
for Christian Unity week in January; it is<br />
always good to “get together”. Fairtrade<br />
Fortnight is from 22 nd Feb to 7 th March<br />
and members of our congregation will<br />
again be helping to man the Fairtrade<br />
information desk at <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
Library during the two weeks, plus<br />
running a Fairtrade stall in the schoolroom<br />
over the two weekends.<br />
SHROVE TUESDAY<br />
AND PANCAKE DAY<br />
Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Day will<br />
soon be here. Shrove Tuesday ends the<br />
season of Epiphany and always falls 47<br />
days before Easter, so the date varies from<br />
year to year. The name ‘Shrove’ comes<br />
from the old word ‘shrive’ meaning ‘to<br />
confess’. In the Middle Ages people<br />
used to confess their sins and be forgiven<br />
before the Lent season began.<br />
The following day, Ash Wednesday, is<br />
the start of Lent. Making pancakes on<br />
the previous day was a way of using up<br />
the foods that were not allowed through<br />
the Lenten season.<br />
Party<br />
Make-over<br />
Hair<br />
Extensions<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES<br />
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Lent is the 40 day period of fasting<br />
and prayer before Easter. The 40 days<br />
represent the time that Jesus spent in<br />
the desert overcoming the temptation<br />
by Satan and is in preparation for<br />
remembering the death and resurrection<br />
of Jesus. Whilst today we may not<br />
fast during Lent some people do deny<br />
themselves in some way and it is surely<br />
a time for private refl ection.<br />
EASTER<br />
All are very warmly invited to our Easter<br />
Day service, and to stay for a “cuppa” and<br />
a chat after the service.<br />
NEW YEAR<br />
RESOLUTIONS<br />
By the time you read this we will be<br />
well into the New Year but at the time<br />
of writing the year was very new and<br />
many of us were making New Year<br />
Resolutions.<br />
We came across the following quote<br />
which we thought would be a good<br />
resolution.<br />
I cannot be everywhere,<br />
so I’ll do what I can here.<br />
I cannot do everything,<br />
so I’ll do what I can.<br />
I cannot live forever,<br />
so I’ll get started right now.<br />
‘GOD PROVIDES THE WIND BUT<br />
MAN MUST RAISE THE SAILS’<br />
St Augustine of Hippo<br />
(The home of philosopher and theologian<br />
St Augustine was Hippo Regius which is the<br />
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A course of short sessions on our sunbed<br />
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18 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES<br />
At the beginning of the New Year it was<br />
our privilege at the Baptist Chapel to<br />
welcome back a young local man, Mr Joe<br />
Bailey, who is currently taking a year out<br />
from his studies and working alongside<br />
the missionary society, ‘The Open Air<br />
Mission’ as a trainee evangelist.<br />
I recently asked Joe about the work of the<br />
Open Air Mission and his new role.<br />
Pastor Aubrey: It’s good to see you again,<br />
Joe, and welcome back to <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
and the Baptist Chapel.<br />
Joe Bailey: Thanks, Aubrey, it’s good<br />
to be back.<br />
Pastor Aubrey: Firstly, Joe, could you<br />
tell our readers a little bit about the Open<br />
Air Mission?<br />
Joe Bailey: The OAM was founded<br />
by a Christian Barrister called John<br />
MacGregor in 1853. He was burdened<br />
for the vast multitudes of people living<br />
in Britain who, even at that time, were<br />
ignorant of the true message of the<br />
Bible. After much prayer with others,<br />
John MacGregor formed the OAM to<br />
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address this imbalance. The bulk of the<br />
work is made up of open air preaching<br />
in town centres. The mission evangelists<br />
also visit prisons, schools, fairgrounds,<br />
old-folks’ homes, churches, beaches,<br />
and youth clubs and undertake personal<br />
visitation.<br />
Pastor Aubrey: I know, Joe, you’ve<br />
taken a year out from your studies to<br />
work with OAM, but what is your role?<br />
Joe Bailey: The Trainee Evangelist post<br />
is just like an apprenticeship. The trainee<br />
learns how to be an effective witness for<br />
the Lord Jesus Christ by a mix of going<br />
out and speaking to people about Jesus<br />
and studying the Bible himself. You go<br />
out with an experienced evangelist to his<br />
regular preaching opportunities.<br />
Pastor Aubrey: I imagine that visiting<br />
different cities as you do must have<br />
informed you a great deal about the<br />
spiritual condition of our country. What<br />
have you found it to be?<br />
Joe Bailey: I would say that the majority<br />
of the British people show little care for<br />
the state of their own souls. They are<br />
fi xed upon the temporal things of this<br />
world - their possessions, relationships,<br />
health, fashion and work - and spare little<br />
thought for how they will fare when they<br />
meet God one day. What’s saddest is that<br />
a lot of people think that they can get to<br />
heaven by their own good deeds - even<br />
though the Bible teaches that the only<br />
way to heaven is by a personal trust in<br />
Jesus Christ.<br />
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Pastor Aubrey: Joe, could you share<br />
with us some real life encounters?<br />
Joe Bailey: In my fi rst week I met a<br />
young man in Bath who listened to two<br />
or three open air messages. Outwardly<br />
he looked very well-to-do - nice clothes,<br />
good job, etc - but he was seeking<br />
something more. As we talked he could<br />
see sense in what I was saying. He<br />
wanted answers to some deep questions.<br />
His father had committed suicide and this<br />
made him question things more deeply<br />
than most people. I felt greatly honoured<br />
that he opened up to me and allowed me<br />
to gently point him to what God’s word<br />
says about life, death, heaven, hell, etc.<br />
He left very thankful and said he would<br />
seek the Lord by reading the Bible for<br />
himself.<br />
In another instance, I spoke to a very<br />
intelligent Oxford Biology student called<br />
‘Christian’ (ironically!). He claimed he<br />
could not believe the Bible due to lack of<br />
evidence, but after a while he admitted<br />
that it wasn’t a lack of evidence but a lack<br />
of will. He didn’t want to believe. And<br />
that’s the case for so many people. It’s<br />
not that God hasn’t shown Himself to us.<br />
He has - in the Bible, in Creation, in our<br />
consciences and in the historical person<br />
and work of Jesus Christ.<br />
Pastor Aubrey: Thanks, Joe. I hope<br />
that in the next six months you know<br />
the Lord’s hand upon your ongoing<br />
ministry.<br />
The Open Air Mission website<br />
is on www.oamission.com.<br />
To discuss the spiritual<br />
things talked about contact<br />
Pastor: 277 2468.
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 19<br />
CHILDREN’S GROUPS<br />
At St Andrew’s, children of all ages are<br />
encouraged to learn about God and to join<br />
in the worship. Two Sundays a month the<br />
younger children attend Sunday school<br />
groups and on the other Sundays they<br />
are actively encouraged to participate in<br />
the all-age services by taking part in the<br />
reading, prayers or talk.<br />
The Sunday school groups meet in the<br />
Cornerstone during the 10.45 service,<br />
normally on the fi rst and third Sundays<br />
of the month.<br />
SCRAMBLERS, for children aged 3-7,<br />
aims to introduce worshipping God to<br />
young people in a simple fun way pitched<br />
at a level which is easy to understand<br />
through stories, crafts, books, videos,<br />
games and activities. We asked some of<br />
the children why they liked attending<br />
Scramblers.<br />
‘Because we do fun stuff & learn about God.’<br />
Isaac aged 7<br />
‘Because we do lots of different things.’<br />
Megan aged 7<br />
ADVENTURERS, for children aged<br />
8-11, provides an opportunity for the<br />
children to learn about what it means<br />
to be a Christian using drama, crafts,<br />
stories, and discussion. We asked some<br />
of the children why they liked attending<br />
Adventurers.<br />
‘Because it is fun and exciting and we try<br />
new things.’ Katy aged 9<br />
‘We always have fun and try new things.’<br />
Emily aged 9<br />
‘Because we do lots of fun activities and<br />
make lots of things.’ Naomi aged 8<br />
CRÈCHE. During the same services a<br />
crèche is run at the back of the church to<br />
provide a safe, caring environment for<br />
the youngest children whilst the parents<br />
attend the 10.45 service. Parents are<br />
welcome to stay with the children if they<br />
do not settle.<br />
Some of the children and helpers ready for the<br />
Sunday School Christmas Party<br />
As well as the Sunday groups there are<br />
groups during the week.<br />
BREATHE is the 11-18’s group whose<br />
aim is to be “Church for the next<br />
generation”. The group meets every<br />
Monday in homes around <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>.<br />
The 11-14’s meet first from 7 to<br />
8.30pm with the 15-18’s meeting from<br />
8 to 9.30pm. They meet for cake, fun and<br />
discussion. They talk about topics that<br />
are relevant to young people and see what<br />
God has to say about it! Regular socials<br />
are held and the group gets involved in<br />
the community events put on by Reality<br />
Youth Project. For more info contact<br />
Matt on 07841 054659.<br />
LET’S GO is a group for under 5’s and<br />
their parents or carers. The group meets on<br />
Thursday afternoons at 1.45pm, usually<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES<br />
New multi-grain bread with great taste<br />
in The Cornerstone. Through music and<br />
singing, stories, crafts and other activities<br />
the children are introduced in a simple<br />
way to the Christian faith in a relaxed and<br />
welcoming environment. Parents/carers<br />
can relax and chat over a cup of tea whilst<br />
keeping an eye on their children in the<br />
play areas.<br />
CHILDREN’S<br />
WORKSHOPS<br />
In addition to the regular children’s work,<br />
St Andrew’s puts on occasional children’s<br />
‘workshops’ linked to special seasons<br />
in the Church’s year. In the past year<br />
workshops have been run on Good Friday<br />
and in Advent. These help the children<br />
to experience the Easter and Christmas<br />
stories in a new and different way and<br />
everyone has a thoroughly good time.<br />
Children enjoying the Advent Workshop<br />
CONTACT DETAILS<br />
If you would like to fi nd out more about<br />
the children’s groups please contact the<br />
St Andrew’s church offi ce - 277 8643 -<br />
or come along at the times given above.<br />
Everyone welcome.<br />
Stephanie Hubbard<br />
Meal Deal<br />
Lunch bags<br />
now available
20 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
LIONS ACHIEVE A ROARING SUCCESS<br />
Once again Blaby & District Lions<br />
weredoing their bit to collect money for<br />
BBC Children in Need. In an unusual<br />
twist on collection tins, volunteers were<br />
standing with huge wheelie bins at Fosse<br />
Park, urging drivers to offer a parking<br />
donation by throwing in their loose<br />
change as they drove by.<br />
On Friday November 20th members of<br />
Blaby & District Lions along with friends<br />
and other volunteers were out in force all<br />
day completing their annual collection<br />
for BBC Children in Need Appeal.<br />
Over the past 20 years the club have<br />
now collected the staggering total of<br />
£120,225. Pudsey Bear and his friends<br />
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were also collecting in and around Blaby<br />
Precinct, outside Aldi, and also at the<br />
new Park & Ride at Enderby as well as<br />
the main shopping areas of Fosse Park.<br />
Children in Need co-ordinator Lion<br />
President Mike Prideaux said “Blaby<br />
& District Lions are very grateful to<br />
the management of Fosse Park, Marks<br />
& Spencer, Enderby Park & Ride and<br />
Blaby Precinct and Aldi’s for allowing<br />
us to opportunity to support this very<br />
worthwhile cause.”<br />
“Each year it never ceases to amaze us the<br />
generosity shown by the public and this<br />
is clearly refl ected when we manage to<br />
raise over £6700 in one day alone.”<br />
“Such a busy day puts a huge pressure on<br />
our membership and we are very grateful<br />
for the additional support from friends<br />
and other members of the public.”<br />
NEWSPAPER<br />
COLLECTIONS<br />
Lorry collecting the 10 tonnes of newspapers<br />
from Anthony Herberts farm in December<br />
December’s delivery of used Newspapers<br />
to South Wales from the village was a<br />
staggering 10 tonnes.<br />
The current price for clean newsprint<br />
is still rising but is currently over £100<br />
per tonne. All the money raised by this<br />
voluntary project is being used for the<br />
benefi t of the village as a hardship fund.<br />
The only costs taken out of the money<br />
raised is haulage. We have been able to<br />
do a deal with a Newport based carrier<br />
on a return load basis – the cheapest way<br />
of moving goods around Britain.<br />
All the boxes you see around the village<br />
have all been donated as has the printing<br />
that has been required.<br />
We are indebted to Anthony Herbert<br />
for again allowing us to use one of his<br />
barns to store the Newsprint and to Chris<br />
Marshall for allowing one of his lads to<br />
load the Newsprint on to the lorry.<br />
To those of you who are helping in<br />
any way thank you for your continued<br />
support. Without you this would be an<br />
impossible task – many hands make light<br />
work springs to mind. The next stage<br />
is to get the Container sited and up and<br />
ready for use.<br />
There are many parts of the village were<br />
we still don’t have any collection boxes.<br />
If you would be prepared to have a box<br />
outside your home or you can help in any<br />
other way in the collection of newsprint<br />
please contact me on 0116 277 8025.<br />
Geoff Kirk
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 21<br />
FOURTH PUBLIC<br />
MEETING CALLED<br />
22 FEBRUARY<br />
The Parish Council have received the<br />
expected planning application for 120<br />
houses on land off Willoughby Road.<br />
Following the public consultation by<br />
the developers agents at <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
College they have submitted what<br />
appears at fi rst sight to be an unaltered<br />
plan. Having attended the consultation<br />
and listened to the numerous residents<br />
expressing their concern it is of little<br />
surprise to note that the views of the<br />
residents have had little or no impact on<br />
the application.<br />
The Parish Council has called a special<br />
meeting at the Village Hall on Monday<br />
22nd February at 7.30 p.m. to allow<br />
residents the opportunity to express their<br />
opinions before the Council decide on<br />
their formal response to the consultation<br />
by Blaby District Council. The application<br />
is not expected to go before the Planning<br />
Committee at Blaby District Council<br />
before their March meeting but if the<br />
timing were to change the Parish Council<br />
meeting would be brought forward.<br />
It is disappointing to note that the second<br />
application for 150 houses on land off<br />
the Leysland estate was passed by Blaby<br />
District Council last week.<br />
This is in addition to the 110 houses to<br />
be built off Borrowcup Close and takes<br />
the total number of planning consents<br />
under the new planning requirements to<br />
339, 39 more than the village was told it<br />
would need to accommodate to meet the<br />
new housing requirement as laid down<br />
by central government.<br />
COUNTESTHORPE<br />
VILLAGE HALL<br />
PART TIME BAR<br />
SUPERVISOR<br />
required for the Village Hall.<br />
Job to include all aspects of running<br />
bar, approximately 15 hrs. per week.<br />
Work is mainly at weekends.<br />
Guaranteed set wage will be paid.<br />
Some fl exibility required.<br />
2 References to be supplied.<br />
Please apply in writing, no later<br />
than 18th February 2010 stating<br />
experience to:-<br />
Clerk to the Parish Council,<br />
Village Centre, Station Road,<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, LE8 5TB<br />
Tel. 2779518<br />
Email: clerk@countesthorpeparishcouncil.co.uk<br />
Disappointingly this is already being<br />
referred to by planning officers as a<br />
“minimum” requirement with no limit<br />
being mentioned. Any additional building<br />
in our village will be greeted by other<br />
villages having their requirements<br />
reduced at our expense.<br />
This will lead to further speculative<br />
applications being made which may<br />
radically alter the size and nature of the<br />
village unless the District Council are<br />
prepared to resist the rush by builders to<br />
take advantage of the new rules at our<br />
expense.<br />
Hallam Developments whose application<br />
for 180 houses off Leicester Road was<br />
declined by the District Council have<br />
already filed their appeal against the<br />
decision. Martin Smith<br />
BEATING THE<br />
SNOW AND ICE …<br />
Despite apologies from the more distant<br />
villages, thirteen members turned up<br />
and enjoyed a rewarding Leicestershire<br />
Speakers meeting in January.<br />
It was an ‘impromptu’ evening organised<br />
by Jo Northam and Anne Jones. With ten<br />
minutes to prepare a fi ve-minute speech,<br />
everyone took part and produced an<br />
intriguing variety of styles.<br />
Dot Barnard’s contribution, ‘Classifi ed,’<br />
breathed information and humour into<br />
the contents of our local and national<br />
press. Mark Glover’s ‘Head in the<br />
Clouds’ challenged those of us who had<br />
never learned – or forgotten – Latin, but<br />
nevertheless, was hugely entertaining and<br />
Morag Wilkes was certainly ‘On the Ball’<br />
with her suitably vigorous approach.<br />
The lively, laughter-packed evening<br />
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The Leicestershire Speakers welcome<br />
anyone who would like to learn the art<br />
of speaking in public. Our meetings are<br />
supportive, informative and entertaining.<br />
We offer enthusiasm and encouragement<br />
to help turn nervous wrecks into confi dent<br />
speakers. We meet at 7.30pm on the second<br />
Wednesday of each month at the Blaby<br />
Drop-In Centre. For more information<br />
ring Anne Jones on 2772295, or visit our<br />
website www.leicspeakers.co.uk.<br />
We are also available to give entertainment<br />
and talks to other societies and groups.<br />
MANGA CAFÉ<br />
Is a monthly group for fans of anime<br />
and manga. It meets at Enderby Library<br />
on the fi rst Saturday of the month (next<br />
meeting 6th February), from 1-2pm<br />
(while the library is closed). If you’re<br />
interested in manga or anime and want<br />
a chance to chat with other fans, please<br />
join us. The group invites members of all<br />
ages; currently the majority are in their<br />
teens or twenties. For more info phone<br />
Ali at Enderby on 305 3523 or visit www.<br />
leics.gov.uk/manga.htm<br />
ROMP IN THE SWAMP<br />
This half term, keep your little monkeys<br />
busy by swinging in to a Romp in the<br />
Swamp down at the library. We will be<br />
having stories and activities with a jungle<br />
theme. This is likely to be a very popular<br />
event, so be sure to arrive on time, as<br />
places will be allocated on a fi rst come,<br />
fi rst served basis. Wednesday 17th Feb.<br />
10:30-12:00, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Library.<br />
Thursday 18th Feb, 2:30-4:00, Blaby<br />
Library.
22 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
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INFORMATION<br />
COUNTESTHORPE<br />
INFORMATION CENTRE<br />
• Bus Timetables • Where to go<br />
• What’s on • Welfare Rights & Benefi ts<br />
Open: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 12p.m.<br />
St Andrews House, Main Street<br />
☎ 277 8643<br />
PROPERTY SERVICES<br />
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FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 23<br />
A MEETING OF THE COUNTESTHORPE<br />
PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE<br />
VILLAGE HALL, STATION ROAD,<br />
COUNTESTHORPE, ON THURSDAY,<br />
12th NOVEMBER 2009 AT 7.30 PM WHEN<br />
THERE WERE PRESENT:<br />
Mr M Smith: Chairman<br />
Mesdames M Baum, J Jennings, J Weatherstone<br />
Messrs A Collis-Smith, A Clifford,<br />
Rev. M Gillespie, P Holdridge, D Jennings,<br />
K Mason, I Paterson, B Smith<br />
Mrs J Adcock: Clerk to the Council<br />
Mrs P Mount: Deputy Clerk to the Council<br />
There were 3 members of the public present<br />
POLICE MATTERS<br />
The Chairman gave mention and welcomed the<br />
police presence on the evening of Halloween<br />
and also their attendance at the Remembrance<br />
Sunday Service.<br />
PLANNING APPLICATIONS<br />
Mrs J Jennings reported on the following<br />
Planning Permission (subject to conditions):<br />
7 The Square; 1 The Vineries; 6 Linden Avenue;<br />
76 Cosby Road; 26 Ludlam Close; 3 The Dales;<br />
Bungalow, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> College, Winchester<br />
Road.<br />
Planning Applications<br />
12 Poplar Avenue (single storey rear extension);<br />
1 Stanyon Close (erection of new double garage<br />
and new pitched roof over existing garage);<br />
Amberlee House, Peatling House Farm, Main<br />
Street (insertion of additional windows to front<br />
and side elevation): No observations<br />
Land east of Scalborough Close, The Leyslands<br />
(residential development of 150 houses with<br />
associated landscaping and infrastructure): see<br />
notes below<br />
Land east of Scalborough Close<br />
In the fi rst instance the Clerk was asked to<br />
ring the case offi cer at Blaby District Council<br />
and ask for a deferment as the Parish Council<br />
wished to call a Special Parish Council Meeting<br />
to discuss this matter and allow parishioners<br />
to voice their views. If an extension is granted<br />
the date for the meeting will be Monday 7th<br />
December, if not the meeting will be held on<br />
Monday 23rd November.<br />
Blaby District Council has notifi ed the Parish<br />
Council that the residential development of<br />
110 houses with associated landscaping and<br />
infrastructure – land north of Borrowcup<br />
Close will be placed on the agenda for the<br />
Development Control Committee on 19th<br />
November with a recommendation for approval.<br />
After a discussion the Chairman agreed to write<br />
a statement on behalf of the Parish Council<br />
objecting to the application. Mrs Joy Jennings<br />
agreed to read out this statement on behalf of the<br />
Parish Council. This can only be carried out if<br />
there is a request from a member of the public<br />
who wishes to speak.<br />
The Clerk was asked to notify the case offi cer<br />
Nigel Wright of this fact.<br />
Blaby District Council has notifi ed the<br />
Parish Council that Outline application<br />
for residential development (maximum 180<br />
dwellings) with associated landscaping and<br />
infrastructure with access from Leicester<br />
Road – land at Leicester Road will be<br />
placed on the agenda for the Development<br />
Control Committee on 19th November with a<br />
recommendation for refusal.<br />
As the recommendation is to refuse this<br />
application the Parish Council will not make<br />
any statement unless a member of the public<br />
requests to speak at the meeting. The Chairman<br />
agreed to prepare a statement for Mrs Jennings<br />
to read if this scenario arises.<br />
The Clerk will contact Mr I Davies, Planning<br />
Offi cer at Blaby District Council, to ask if he<br />
will notify her if anyone indicates that they will<br />
be speaking at the meeting so that she will in<br />
turn be able to inform him that Mrs Jennings<br />
will be speaking on behalf of the Parish Council.<br />
Mr A Collis-Smith stated that the pumping<br />
station for the Leysland estate, in Scalborough<br />
Close, had failed and emergency measures have<br />
had to be taken by the owners of the pumping<br />
system. This pumping station has never been<br />
adopted by Severn Trent. New pumps are<br />
now being installed. Mr Collis-Smith is of the<br />
opinion that before any planning applications<br />
are considered this pumping station needs to be<br />
adopted.<br />
Section 106 Requirements<br />
106 agreements are made with the district<br />
council by housing developers when plans for<br />
future developments are received. The money<br />
from these agreements has in the past been used<br />
by the d istrict council without any consultation<br />
with the Parish Council.<br />
The Clerk reported that a meeting was held in<br />
December 2008 with members of the Parish<br />
Council and the Housing Strategy and Policy<br />
Offi cer Blaby District Council whereby the<br />
Parish Council’s concerns were raised with<br />
regard to 106 monies not coming to the Parish.<br />
The Offi cer advised the Parish Council to<br />
produce a “wish list” of areas where they<br />
consider this money should be spent. This was<br />
prepared and sent to Blaby District Council.<br />
The Parish Council’s District Councillors were<br />
urged by members to lobby the District Council,<br />
if these planning applications are approved, to<br />
ensure that 106 monies are given to the Parish<br />
Council to improve the village or at least<br />
consulted as to where the money is being spent.<br />
MAINTENANCE OF COUNCIL<br />
PROPERTIES<br />
Insurance<br />
The insurance on the new Council vehicle is<br />
due in December. The Clerk asked where she<br />
should go to get quotations. She was advised to<br />
ask our current brokers, T Ball, to make further<br />
enquiries in the fi rst instance.<br />
Park Equipment<br />
The Clerk reported that the two new spring toys<br />
for Leysland Park and the slide in Dale Acre<br />
should be fi tted this week.<br />
The Clerk read an e-mail from a young resident<br />
of the village about the poor quality of park<br />
equipment in <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> compared to other<br />
villages.<br />
A further letter has been received with regards<br />
to park equipment at the Leysland<br />
A letter from Blaby District Council with regard<br />
to an outdoor basketball initiative was passed to<br />
Mr A Clifford for this attention.<br />
St. Andrew’s Churchyard<br />
The Clerk was asked to obtain quotations for the<br />
repairs to the footpaths in the churchyard.<br />
REPORTS OF WORKING PARTIES, AND<br />
COUNCILLORS<br />
Finance Working Party<br />
Mr K Mason reported on the following:<br />
Staff Salary Increase: It was resolved that<br />
a 1.25% increase be accepted for the Clerk,<br />
Deputy Clerk, Groundsmen, Caretaker and<br />
Cleaners as from 1st April 2009.<br />
Grant Aid: A request for grant aide has been<br />
received from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The<br />
working party recommended that grant aid of<br />
£250 under section 137 be granted. This was<br />
resolved.<br />
Audit 2008/09: The external auditor<br />
recommended that the Parish Council adopt<br />
Standing Orders. Mr I Paterson proposed,<br />
seconded by Mr D Jennings, that standing orders<br />
should not be accepted. This was unanimously<br />
resolved.<br />
It was recommended by the auditor that a<br />
Giftware & Greeting Cards<br />
7 The Bank, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
Tel: 278 7533<br />
Cards & Gifts<br />
to suit all occasions<br />
very reasonably priced<br />
why not visit our other shop at<br />
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24 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
risk register should be operated. This was<br />
discussed at length by the working party and it<br />
was resolved in the fi rst instance that attention<br />
should be given to the cemetery and staff<br />
salaries. The Clerk was asked to approach other<br />
parishes to ascertain their method of payment<br />
for salaries.<br />
VISION GROUP – REPORT THEREOF<br />
Rev. M Gillespie reported that the arrangements<br />
for the Christmas Spectacular were well in hand.<br />
Councillors were reminded again that they<br />
would be expected to “shake” collection tins in<br />
aid of the Air Ambulance appeal.<br />
VILLAGE HALL – REPORT THEREOF<br />
The Clerk reported that she had been advised<br />
by Blaby District Council that elections would<br />
either be held on the 6th May 2010 or 3rd in the<br />
2010 diary.<br />
U3A: A letter has been received from the U3A<br />
with regard to the picture hanging rails in the<br />
hall. Mr I Paterson volunteered to speak to the<br />
U3A on this matter and report back to the next<br />
meeting.<br />
Till for bar: Mr P Holdridge was thanked for<br />
his input with regard to purchasing a new till<br />
for the bar. This has now been installed. The<br />
bar supervisor recommended a few changes to<br />
prices.<br />
YOUTH WORK WITHIN THE VILLAGE<br />
Mr Clifford announced that the youth team, led<br />
by Kirk Sellars, was opening a Youth Club at the<br />
College tonight for over 16 year olds and it was<br />
the fi rst of its kind in the village for 6 years.<br />
ALLOTMENTS – GLEBE DRIVE<br />
A letter from Mrs C Fisher, Secretary of the<br />
Allotments Society, Glebe Drive, was circulated<br />
to members prior to the meeting.<br />
This letter sets out who she has contacted with<br />
regard to the possible sale of the allotment land.<br />
Mr Jennings stated that he had forwarded a<br />
copy of the letter to Mr G Clark, Blaby District<br />
Council, Planning Department. Mr Clark<br />
replied:<br />
1. The letter to Mr Smith from Mrs Fisher (19th<br />
October 2009) – the allotment site is included<br />
within the site shown in the Strategic Housing<br />
Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). The<br />
site was submitted by the Leicester Diocesan<br />
Board of Finance. In its submission to the<br />
District Council there is reference to the<br />
retention of an area for continued allotment<br />
use. It may be appropriate to remind the Parish<br />
Council and the Gardens and Allotments that the<br />
purpose of the SHLAA is to provide evidence<br />
that informs the preparation of the Local<br />
Development Framework. It is not a document<br />
which allocates land for house development.<br />
2. On a related issue the District Council has<br />
J Free education for children aged 3 to 5<br />
(children taken from their 3rd birthday)<br />
J Qualifi ed teacher & Nursery Nurses amongst the staff<br />
J Purpose built accommodation with extensive outdoor play areas<br />
J A safe, secure and stimulating environment<br />
J Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum<br />
to lead to approved learning goals<br />
been asked to provide a ‘screening opinion’ for<br />
a potential planning application on a larger area<br />
of land off Willoughby Road. The allotment<br />
site falls within this area. Please contact<br />
Andrew Senior or Ian Davies if you would fi nd<br />
it helpful to discuss the Screening Opinion.<br />
3. Should BDC receive an application for<br />
housing development on the allotment site, one<br />
of the policies which it would be considered<br />
against would be Policy L2 of the Blaby<br />
District Local Plan. This policy protects<br />
allotments, although it allows for suitable<br />
alternative provision.<br />
Rev M Gillespie stated that the vicar had<br />
received a letter from the Diocese stating that the<br />
allotments will not be part of the land for sale.<br />
Mr I Paterson felt that consideration by the<br />
Parish Council should be given to purchasing<br />
the whole of the Glebe land, which includes<br />
allotments, in order to protect it from future<br />
development.<br />
The Clerk was asked to reply to Mrs Fisher<br />
stating that the Parish Council strongly supports<br />
the retention of the allotments. The Diocese<br />
does not intend to sell the allotments and Blaby<br />
District Council have provision in hand to<br />
protect allotments.<br />
VILLAGE FILMS – REQUEST FROM<br />
HERITAGE GROUP<br />
No reply has yet been received from MACE<br />
with regard to the cost of reproducing the<br />
DVDs.<br />
BUS SERVICE NO. 45<br />
A letter has been received from the Leader of<br />
the County Council, Mr D Parsons, with regard<br />
to the reduction in the 45 bus service. The<br />
letter stated that as all the settlements on the<br />
route covered by route 45 do have alternative<br />
bus services and all journeys can be made<br />
by connection either to the CircleLine or in<br />
Leicester city centre the County Council will<br />
not continue to subsidise this service.<br />
CONDITION OF VILLAGE FOOTPATHS<br />
The Clerk reported that she had received, over<br />
the past year, numerous complaints about the<br />
condition of pavements in the village, the last<br />
being Gillam Butts. These complaints have<br />
been reported to the Highways Department.<br />
An e-mail from the Highways Department<br />
states that the Gillam Butts footpaths were due<br />
to be re-laid during 2009/2010 but another area<br />
outside of the village has taken priority.<br />
A timetable has been drawn up to repair the<br />
worst footpaths on the Gwendoline Drive estate<br />
over the next 5 years.<br />
The Clerk was advised to write to Mr Lugg<br />
asking him to look into this matter.<br />
Meeting closed at 9.25 pm.<br />
Names taken for waiting list from age 1<br />
Hours of part-time sessions<br />
(5 per week) 9.15 - 11.45 or 12.30 - 3pm.<br />
All visits welcomed. Telephone 277 3489<br />
The Drive, <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>, Leicester LE8 5PB<br />
A MEETING OF THE COUNTESTHORPE<br />
PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE<br />
VILLAGE HALL, STATION ROAD,<br />
COUNTESTHORPE, ON THURSDAY,<br />
10th DECEMBER 2009 AT 7.30 PM WHEN<br />
THERE WERE PRESENT:<br />
Mr M Smith: Chairman<br />
Mr D Ball: Vice Chairman<br />
Mesdames G Farrands, C James, J Jennings<br />
Messrs T Blood, A Collis-Smith, F E Duffi eld,<br />
P Holdridge, D Jennings, K Mason, I Paterson<br />
Mrs J Adcock: Clerk to the Council<br />
Mrs P Mount: Deputy Clerk to the Council<br />
There were 6 members of the public present<br />
The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, wished<br />
to send good wishes to Mr J Jeffcott, Senior<br />
Groundsman, for a speedy recovery.<br />
POLICE MATTERS<br />
Mr D Ball reported that the local police offi cer<br />
was in regular contact with the Parish Offi ce.<br />
PLANNING APPLICATIONS<br />
Mrs J Jennings reported on the following:<br />
Information regarding the proposed quality<br />
bus corridor improvements A426 Aylestone<br />
Road/Lutterworth Road/Leicester Road has<br />
been received.<br />
Planning Permission/Refusal<br />
1A Leicester Road: Application granted subject<br />
to conditions attached to planning permission.<br />
Land north of Borrowcup Close*: Application<br />
granted subject to conditions attached to<br />
planning permission.<br />
Land at Leicester Road**: Refusal of outline<br />
planning permission<br />
* Conditions and reasons for application being<br />
granted have been circulated to all members of<br />
the Parish Council.<br />
10 Willoughby Road - this application has been<br />
withdrawn.<br />
Planning Applications<br />
2 New Street (retention of boundary well and<br />
fencing): No observations<br />
1 Benskyn Close (retention of conversion of<br />
garage to treatment room): No observations<br />
The Chairman asked members if they would<br />
permit a representative from the Allotment<br />
Society to speak on a proposed planning<br />
application for land east of Willoughby Road.<br />
Permission was granted.<br />
The representative stated that the Glebe<br />
Committee of the Diocese had decided not to<br />
sell the land on which the allotments stand.<br />
They would give the allotment society a 25 year<br />
lease which was something they had never had<br />
but welcomed. However, the committee did<br />
agree to look to sell the rest of the glebe land<br />
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Tuesday 10.30 10.45 - 12.00 11.45<br />
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Beginners of all ages and<br />
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FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 25<br />
for development with a right of access over<br />
the allotments. The allotment society felt that<br />
this would destroy the allotment community<br />
as it would be divided into two halves by a<br />
fence. Allowing access through the allotments<br />
would also mean that traffi c would have access<br />
to Glebe Drive, a very narrow roadway. As<br />
the only other access to the site would be<br />
Willoughby Road it is felt that a ‘rat run’ into<br />
the village would be created.<br />
The Chairman stated that it was not possible to<br />
make observations on a planning application<br />
that had not yet been offi cially submitted.<br />
If plans were submitted a Special Parish Council<br />
Meeting would be called to allow parishioners<br />
to express their views.<br />
The Chairman stated that a Public Exhibition<br />
of the proposed development will be held on<br />
Tuesday, 15th December at 3.30 – 7.30 pm in<br />
the dining hall of <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Community<br />
College, Winchester Road.<br />
MAINTENANCE OF COUNCIL<br />
PROPERTIES<br />
Mr D Ball reported on the working party<br />
meeting held on 7th December 2009:<br />
Shetland Way A resident of Shetland Way has<br />
requested that the crab apple tree on land near<br />
to the car park in Shetland Way be cut down.<br />
Upon inspection it was decided to prune the tree<br />
further but not remove it.<br />
Dale Acre Park A letter has been received from<br />
a resident about their concern that equipment at<br />
the park had been vandalised. All vandalised<br />
equipment has now been repaired. A letter will<br />
be sent to the resident informing them of the<br />
action that the Council has taken.<br />
A further letter has been received complaining<br />
about the poor standard of the equipment in<br />
Dale Acre Park compared to parks in Knighton<br />
and Broughton Astley.<br />
The Chairman of the working party asked if<br />
money could be put in the budget, for next year,<br />
to allow for the replacement of the two spring<br />
toys which were vandalised many years ago.<br />
Approximately £4000 would be required.<br />
REPORTS OF WORKING PARTIES<br />
AND COUNCILLORS<br />
106 Monies<br />
A meeting was held with Mr A Senior,<br />
Development Control Manager, Blaby District<br />
Council to discuss 106 monies.<br />
Mr Senior was informed that a meeting had<br />
taken place on 12th November 2008 with Mr<br />
I Jones, Housing Strategy and Policy Offi cer,<br />
Blaby District Council, who advised the meeting<br />
on the use of 106 monies. The Council were<br />
advised by Mr Jones to produce a “wish list”<br />
which would then be in place should a section<br />
106 agreement arise from future development<br />
plans.<br />
This list was produced and Mr Jones stated in a<br />
letter dated 23rd December 2008 that this had<br />
been forwarded to Mr Senior in the planning<br />
department for his consideration.<br />
Mr Senior stated that of the ten items on<br />
the “wish list” the only one which might be<br />
considered was the one for an extension to the<br />
cemetery.<br />
After a discussion it was resolved to send a<br />
letter to Mr Senior thanking him for attending<br />
the meeting and to state that the Council were<br />
pleased that he would negotiate on their behalf.<br />
Finance Working Party<br />
A request for grant aid (section 137) monies has<br />
been received from the Stuart Cosby Memorial<br />
Trust. Mr I Paterson declared an interest as he is<br />
a member of this committee.<br />
The Trust received a grant of £1000 on 17th<br />
April 2008. It was resolved to give the Trust a<br />
further £1,000 this year.<br />
The Clerk read a letter from Blaby District<br />
Council with regard to an application for grant<br />
aid towards Mobile Youth Provision.<br />
Mr I Paterson stated that he was of the opinion<br />
that the Blaby Central Community Forum was<br />
sponsoring this particular project from their<br />
£20,000 budget.<br />
After further discussions it was decided not to<br />
contribute to this project as it was felt that this<br />
would not benefi t the youths of <strong>Countesthorpe</strong>.<br />
VILLAGE HALL – REPORT THEREOF<br />
U3A<br />
A debate re the use and ownership of the<br />
hanging rails in the Village Hall has been held<br />
and a satisfactory conclusion reached.<br />
VISION GROUP – REPORT THEREOF<br />
Christmas Spectacular – 2010<br />
A working party meeting was held on Monday<br />
7th December 2009.<br />
The next meeting of the working party will<br />
be held on Monday 19th April at 10 am in the<br />
Village Hall.<br />
The collection for the Air Ambulance raised<br />
£131.12 on the evening. Approximately 500<br />
people attended the event.<br />
VILLAGE FILMS – REQUEST FROM<br />
HERITAGE GROUP<br />
MACE has stated that the cost to copy the<br />
village fi lms would be approximately £380 for<br />
10 copies.<br />
After a discussion it was resolved to ask the<br />
Heritage Group to produce copies.<br />
SEWAGE – SCALBOROUGH CLOSE<br />
Once again the sewage pumping station in<br />
Scalborough Close has failed. This caused foul<br />
sewage to fl ow into gardens, onto footways and<br />
into the brook.<br />
Persimmon has taken appropriate remedial<br />
action. Tankers were used to empty the<br />
accumulated sewage from the holding tanks and<br />
temporary pumps have been installed pending<br />
an approved upgrade of the pumping station.<br />
SNIBSTON’S CENTURY<br />
THEATRE ROCKS!<br />
Snibston’s Century Theatre is set to rock<br />
next month as it welcomes the fi rst of<br />
its tribute bands for the year, The Floyd<br />
Effect.<br />
The Pink Floyd tribute band will play<br />
at the Century Theatre, Coalville on<br />
Saturday, 20th February and will recreate<br />
the music and magic of the last four<br />
decades.<br />
Avid followers of the former super group<br />
will not be disappointed as the best- loved<br />
tunes are brought to life by this talented<br />
ensemble. With the latest lighting and<br />
projections to fi ll the atmospheric theatre,<br />
a fantastic time for all is guaranteed!<br />
Tickets for ‘A Tribute to Pink Floyd’ by<br />
the Floyd Effect are £15 on the night or<br />
£12.50 in advance. Start time, 7.30pm.<br />
Bookings can be made by calling 01530<br />
278 444.<br />
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◆ Private Car Park<br />
5 Saffron Road,Wigston, Leicester<br />
Tel: 278 3381<br />
www.rcwestonandson.co.uk
26 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
PAUL RICKETTS –<br />
“CUTTER’S CHOICE”<br />
Fast rising black comedian Paul Ricketts<br />
brings his popular show ‘Cutter’s Choice’<br />
to the Leicester Comedy Festival<br />
following a successful run at The Hen &<br />
Chicken’s Theatre, London and tour of<br />
North London Schools as part of Islington<br />
Council’s Black History Month.<br />
First premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe<br />
2009 his latest show is a comic personal<br />
and political black hair-story. The<br />
audience gets to choose Paul’s new haircut<br />
as he traces the funny and sometimes<br />
embarrassing relationship between hair<br />
fashion and social change. The search for<br />
a black identity as represented through<br />
his choices of hairstyle – from bald head<br />
to dreads, kinky to straight, fl at-top to<br />
Afro.<br />
Paul’s distinctive skewed view of the<br />
world informs his black ‘sub–urban’<br />
comedy. His intelligent humour focuses<br />
not only on sharp observations from<br />
life, but also racial, cultural and satirical<br />
subjects, intermingled with strange<br />
tales of ordinary madness. Paul is<br />
now in demand as an act and MC at<br />
prestigious venues such the Comedy<br />
Store (London & Manchester), Just<br />
The Tonic, Nottingham, The Glee Club,<br />
Birmingham and clubs across the UK.<br />
“There is no show here at the (Edinburgh)<br />
Fringe that is as informative as well as<br />
funny.” The New Current<br />
Show 8pm, £5, £4 concs, February 10-<br />
11, Kayal Restaurant, 153 Granby Street,<br />
Leicester LE1 1FE<br />
COAST TO COAST WALK<br />
IN AID OF LOROS<br />
Adrian Walker is calling on walkers<br />
from across the county to take part in the<br />
Coast to Coast Walk in aid of LOROS,<br />
the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice.<br />
The Albert Wainwright route was created<br />
to cross the country from St Bees in the<br />
Lake District through to Robin Hood’s<br />
Bay in Yorkshire. Wainwright believed<br />
in getting to high land to get the best<br />
views and therefore the route is somewhat<br />
RMS ELECTRICAL<br />
LOCAL DOMESTIC TRADESMAN,<br />
FRIENDLY SERVICE,<br />
FREE QUOTATION, PART P NICEIC,<br />
CALL RICH ON:<br />
275 3272 or 07929 054170<br />
hilly! The 192 mile route completed over<br />
13 days is challenging, and takes you<br />
through some of the best countryside in<br />
Britain, including the Lake District, the<br />
Yorkshire Dales and the remote North<br />
Yorkshire moors.<br />
The 2010 walk will start on Wednesday<br />
22nd September and fi nish on Wednesday<br />
6th October 2010 and a new team of up<br />
to ten people is being sought..<br />
LOROS Senior Fundraiser, Adrian<br />
Walker, who organises the training walks<br />
and completed the Wainwright Walk on<br />
fi ve occasions said, “The Coast to Coast<br />
Walk is a great challenge and not beyond<br />
most people. It gives participants the<br />
opportunity to get fi t, learn about map and<br />
compass skills, learn fi rst aid/survival tips<br />
and raise funds for a great local charity,<br />
LOROS. This really is a “must do” event<br />
in your lifetime.”<br />
At regular meetings and training<br />
sessions the group will get to know their<br />
travelling companions and elect daily<br />
walk leaders. The accommodation will be<br />
a combination of Youth Hostels and Bed<br />
and Breakfast establishments. The total<br />
costing, including food, accommodation,<br />
transport fuel etc will be approximately<br />
£600 per person.<br />
On average walkers are travelling 15<br />
miles a day (the shortest day is 9 miles<br />
and the longest 21 miles), with no rest<br />
days for 13 days.<br />
As each person pays their own costs,<br />
there is no set amount that walkers are<br />
asked to pledge for participating. It is<br />
hoped, however, that £1,000 is raised<br />
for LOROS.<br />
Anyone who is interested in taking<br />
part in the 2010 walk, should contact<br />
Adrian Walker, on 2318431 or e-mail<br />
adrianwalker@loros.co.uk.<br />
HERALD COPY DATES 2010<br />
Issue Copy date Layout Publish Committee<br />
265 14 Jan 21-22 Jan 29 Jan 9 Feb<br />
266 11 Mar 18-19 Mar 26 Mar 6 Apr<br />
267 13 May 20-21 May 28 May 8 June<br />
268 22 July 29-30 July 6 Aug 17 Aug<br />
269 16 Sept 23-24 Sept 1 Oct 12 Oct<br />
270 11 Nov 18-19 Nov 26 Nov 7 Dec<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Frances Frances Jacobs, Jacobs will will be at be <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> at <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> Library,<br />
Station Road on Wednesday 7th October,<br />
Wednesday Library, 4th Station November Road & one Wednesday Wednesday 9th per<br />
December month between 2009 between 10am 10am and noon & 12noon to give to free give<br />
you free legal advice. If you have any legal concerns<br />
you legal are advice. invited to Please come and phone discuss the them Blaby with Offi ce<br />
Frances or alternatively for more please details contact our Blaby<br />
Office for further information.
FEBRUARY 2010 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 27<br />
FAIRTRADE<br />
FORTNIGHT<br />
Recent years have seen a huge growth in<br />
the Fairtrade movement and many local<br />
folk choose to support the movement’s<br />
aims whenever practical and possible by<br />
buying fairly traded goods. Businesses<br />
and producers in developing countries<br />
are given fair and supportive contracts<br />
through Fairtrade organisations, so are<br />
able to plan ahead better and pass on this<br />
stability to their families and workers,<br />
thus also enhancing the local economy.<br />
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight from<br />
February 21st to March 6th will be<br />
marked in <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> as in recent<br />
years in three specifi c ways. There is to<br />
be a stall in the village library selling a<br />
selection of goods brought along from<br />
our Rainbow Shop, so please bring some<br />
money when you come to change your<br />
library books and perhaps buy some of<br />
our coffee or teabags or treat yourself to<br />
a packet of Geo bars (several fl avours<br />
available) sweets or delicious chocolate.<br />
If anyone feels they would like to help on<br />
this stall please contact me on 2776259<br />
and I will pass on your offer to Anne<br />
Tester who is making up the rota! The<br />
library staff will be holding a Coffee<br />
Morning from 10.30 am on Wednesday<br />
February 24th using Fairtrade goods,<br />
and the Methodist Saturday coffee<br />
mornings on the weekends of February<br />
27th and March 6th will also feature a<br />
Fairtrade stall whose ‘goodies’ will also<br />
be available after the Sunday services.<br />
Don’t forget that a wider range of goods<br />
is always available in the Rainbow Shop<br />
and Information Centre just next to St<br />
Andrew’s church and opposite the Co-op,<br />
and if you are in Leicester and present<br />
hunting the Just Shop has moved to 36<br />
Silver St, on the edge of St Martin’s Sq.<br />
We would like to congratulate Leysland<br />
High School who support Fairtrade all<br />
year in school.<br />
PatsyP<br />
All Aerial Work<br />
undertaken<br />
TV set up<br />
and guidance<br />
U3A<br />
NEWS<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> University of the Third<br />
Age committee members have a strange<br />
problem really – too much success! Just<br />
as the group celebrates its tenth birthday,<br />
the committee feels it must put a halt to<br />
new enrolment while they search for a<br />
solution to the amazing attendance at<br />
the regular main monthly meetings, just<br />
about fi lling the Village Hall. This is an<br />
obvious and almost ideal place to meet<br />
and use as the hub for the organisation,<br />
which is of course aimed at retired folk,<br />
and in fact has over the years attracted<br />
folk from right across the area. There are<br />
of course lots of U3As in our county and<br />
some very close at hand, so no one should<br />
be excluded from joining the organisation<br />
nationally.<br />
The committee of course have had<br />
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numerous ‘wild’ suggestions for cutting<br />
down attendance at the meetings<br />
– including having boring speakers,<br />
sending out more information to members<br />
so there is not the need to attend the<br />
monthly meetings, having a raffle to<br />
select who can come next month or<br />
simply shutting the door when the hall<br />
is full!<br />
Before long I confidently expect to<br />
be writing another article explaining a<br />
slightly amended pattern of working for<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong>’s popular group, as the<br />
committee discuss and debate all the<br />
options for reopening membership in<br />
consultation with other U3As in similar<br />
circumstances, and mulling over the more<br />
constructive suggestions from members.<br />
From now on, members who would fi nd<br />
it more convenient can gather for coffee<br />
on the morning of the monthly meeting<br />
between 10.30 am and 12 noon to get<br />
the latest news about trips, theatre visits<br />
and updates about any other groups,<br />
instead of going in the afternoon for the<br />
main talk.<br />
We await any more changes with<br />
interest! Meanwhile activities continue<br />
– and Bill Collett took a moment during<br />
the Archaeology Group visit to Market<br />
Harborough Museum to try on the Roman<br />
helmet as you can see.<br />
PatsyP<br />
Home & Garden maintenance. Local reliable service. For a free quotation<br />
please call Gary Hawkins on 07929 874 928 or email garyhawk@hotmail.
28 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD FEBRUARY 2010<br />
Flowers by Betty Bolton<br />
Published by The New <strong>Countesthorpe</strong> <strong>Herald</strong>. Printed by Alice (graphics), <strong>Countesthorpe</strong><br />
BOWLING CLUB<br />
GIVES TO CHARITY<br />
At the beginning of each year the<br />
presidents of both the men’s and ladies<br />
sections choose one or two charities to<br />
support and we raise money throughout<br />
the year at various club events, but<br />
mainly from the proceeds of the Charity<br />
Gala held in August. At the end of the<br />
season a dinner/dance is held at the<br />
Conservative Club at which trophies and<br />
prizes are presented to the winners of club<br />
competitions. It was at this event that our<br />
ladies president, Mrs Bridget Gardiner,<br />
handed over a cheque for £960 to a<br />
representative from the Air Ambulance<br />
and a further donation of £240 was given<br />
to the Diabetes Society, which brings<br />
the total charity money given to £1200.<br />
This was a splendid result. Well done<br />
to everybody who helped to raise this<br />
money, and particularly to Bridget for<br />
her tremendous effort.<br />
We hope that all our members will have<br />
a happy, healthy and successful year<br />
ahead. Remember, that although winter<br />
is upon us the days are lengthening and<br />
this means that we are advancing towards<br />
the start of another outdoor bowling<br />
season.<br />
DODGE THIS!<br />
DODGEBALL CLUB<br />
Those looking for a fun way to make a<br />
healthy start to 2010 could try a new sport<br />
that is quickly growing in popularity.<br />
A year old, the Enderby Dodgeball Club<br />
“Dodge This!” are on the look out for<br />
both new male and female players for<br />
2010.<br />
The Enderby Dodgeball sessions started<br />
in January and will be held every Tuesday<br />
from 8.30pm to 10.30pm at the Enderby<br />
Leisure Centre on Mill Lane.<br />
Dodge This! at Enderby is going strong<br />
but with new members attending it<br />
will provide the opportunity for the<br />
club to enter league and tournament<br />
Dodgeball.<br />
Sessions are for those aged 14 and above,<br />
and beginners are welcome.<br />
Further information is available from<br />
Simon Moody a Level Two Qualifi ed<br />
Dodgeball Coach with the UKDBA<br />
(UK Dodgeball Association) who is<br />
using his qualifi cation to push Dodgeball<br />
in the local area, as well as getting<br />
young people and adults active. Contact<br />
him on 07743 098544 or by email at:<br />
enderbydodgeball@googlemail.com and<br />
website www.letsplaydodgeball.co.uk<br />
<strong>Countesthorpe</strong> <strong>Herald</strong><br />
herald@macunlimited .net<br />
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