MAY 2024 GROBY SPOTLIGHT online

GROBY & FIELD HEAD 

Spotlight 

MID-MAY 2024 

Litter Picking in Groby 

for Burundi! 

HELLO FROM 

the Churches 

Together in 

Groby Litter 

Picking Team! 

This May, to 

promote and 

celebrate 

Christian Aid 

Week, (12th- 

18th May), 

we’ve been 

taking part in 

Christian Aid’s 

70 Kilometres in 

May Challenge. 

Our team started 

litter picking on 

1st May and we 

aim to litter pick 70 

kilometres in Groby 

during the month 

to raise awareness 

of the Christian Aid 

Week campaign 

which this year focuses on Burundi. 

Malnourishment and poverty affect more than 70% of people in Burundi. Christian 

Aid are working to empower families in Burundi build reliable and diverse incomes. 

Take Aline, for example. She found a lifeline in Christian Aid after she felt the full 

force of extreme poverty, when an early marriage ended in abuse and violence. 

Christian Aid helped her with small business training and she set up as a grocery 

wholesaler. Today, Aline can afford food, clothes, and essential healthcare for her 

family. 

There are more people Christian Aid could reach – and that’s why we’re 

fundraising. 

You can follow the team on Facebook by searching for Churches Together in 

Groby and also make a donation on-line via this QR code. 

Alternatively you can donate using the red Christian Aid Envelope which you will 

have received through your door this week. If you’ve not returned it yet there’s still 

time! Envelopes can be returned to local drop-off points in signposted homes or 

to Groby Library, Laundon Way Co-Op, Classic Cuts Hairdressers or Chaplin’s 

(former butchers). 

Many thanks to these businesses for supporting Christian Aid Week and to 

Groby people for your generous support in past years. Together we can make a 

lasting difference and pushback against the inhumanity of poverty. 

Do say hello if you see us out and about with our litter pickers, we’re keeping 

going until we reach 70 kilometres. 

Thank you and God Bless, 

Christine Davies and Mary Pringle 

Churches Together in Groby 

YOUR COMMUNITY choir, 

Groby Sings, will soon be 

embarking on our European 

Tour and invites you to 

come and enjoy our summer 

concerts. 

Where? English Martyrs 

School, Anstey Lane, Leicester 

LE4 0FJ, which has lots of 

parking, tiered audience seating, 

a lift and interval refreshments 

When? Saturday 22 June 

7.00pm and Sunday 23 June 

3.00pm 

Tickets £6 each 

Tickets will be on sale from 

Wednesday, 22nd May at The 

Groby Club during the Club’s 

normal opening hours as well 

as at choir rehearsals there on 

Wednesday afternoons and 

evenings. There will also be a 

choir member selling tickets at 

Groby Library on Wednesday 

and Saturday mornings 

10.00am-12.00pm, and any choir 

member will be happy to obtain 

tickets for you. You will also be 

able to buy tickets on the door at 

each concert. 

Bring your family, friends, 

neighbours and especially 

visitors from abroad. We’ve 

had people from all corners of 

Great Britain and from all over 

the world who’ve enjoyed our 

previous concerts. The support 

for the choir from the community 

is invaluable so do come along 

and enjoy the event as much as 

we will. After a warm welcome 

for Groby Sings at the Opera last 

November, we are very much 

looking forward to returning to 

English Martyrs School. 

Enquiries via our website www. 

grobysings.org and check out our 

Facebook page too. 

Groby Sings is a Registered 

Charity no. 1180490 

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 15TH JUNE - DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES & ADVERTS IS 1ST JUNE

www.oaktreelettings.co.uk | Call: 0116 287 0334 

Email: lettings@oaktreelettings.co.uk 

86 Faire Road, Glenfield, LE3 8ED 

LANDLORDS 

Demand for rental property has 

never been higher, whilst the risk 

to landlords is increasing in these 

uncertain times. 

We offer a comprehensive 

and experienced management 

service, with Rent & Legal 

protection available. 

With the majority of our clients 

being recommended to us, 

contact Marianne or Louise for 

details of our New Year Offers. 

Established 2011

Groby & Field Head Spotlight • MID-MAY 2024 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk 

3 

Groby flood alleviation scheme 

Wrong size pipes rumour 

“definitely fake news” 

READERS may have heard a rumour that the Severn Trent 

flood alleviation scheme has suffered delays from having 

the ‘wrong size pipes’. 

In a letter to residents about the next stage of the work the company 

explained the unexpected difficulties that had been encountered, and these 

did not include wrong size pipes, which Project Manager Rosie Hunt has 

described as “most definitely fake news”. 

She added that the delays have been caused by finding many unchartered 

services, which unfortunately have not been shown on any of the providers 

service records. “On projects it wouldn’t be unusual to find 1 or 2 uncharted 

services however, unfortunately on this project we have found circa 20 

unchartered services.” 

In addition the contractors have uncovered varying depths of concrete. 

“Most recently we have uncovered a 650mm thick concrete slab as 

opposed to the usual thickness of 200mm we have found throughout the 

scheme. Due to uncovering services around this, hand tools have had to be 

utilised to break through the concrete, to ensure safe working practices are 

followed. This has caused additional delays, and uncovering the concrete 

slab and unchartered services delayed the next phase”. 

Norman Griffiths 

Allowance has increased 

Foster carers needed 

PAYMENT and allowance benefits for foster carers in 

Leicestershire have risen by nearly 7%. 

Following a 6.88% rise in the National Minimum Allowance for foster 

carers in England, the minimum weekly allowance for a foster carer 

has increased to £170 per week, with the maximum weekly allowance 

going up to £249 per week*. 

Additional weekly skill fees, paid in recognition of carers’ skills, 

experience and dedication to continuous learning and development, 

have also increased. 

With 733** children and young people in care, Leicestershire County 

Council urgently needs new foster carers to provide a loving, safe and 

supportive home for children and young people in care. 

Most in-house foster carers can get a tax-free allowance of £18,400 

and also access further payments, including clothing and school 

uniform allowances, birthday and holiday allowances, and festival 

allowances. 

Jane Moore, director of children and family services at Leicestershire 

County Council, said: “We are so proud of our carers. They offer their 

time, love, and abundant skills to look after our children and young 

people. 

“We know that our foster carers don’t just do this for the money, but 

we know that it is something people need to think about, especially 

during the hard financial times people are facing, and this payment 

increase helps to show our ongoing and unwavering support to them. 

“The sad fact is that the number of children and young people in our 

care is steadily rising year-on-year, and we desperately need to recruit 

more carers to ensure we are offering our young people the best 

chance of succeeding in life.” 

Anyone interested in finding out more about foster carer payments 

and allowances can visit the fostering in Leicestershire website www. 

leicestershire.gov.uk/fostering. Alternatively, they can attend one of the 

upcoming ‘Find Out About Fostering’ events, email the Fostering Team 

at fostering@leics.gov.uk, or call them on 0116 305 0505. 

*Minimum and maximum payments depend on the age of the child or 

young person being cared for, and are designed to cover the basic cost 

of caring for them. 

**figure correct as of April 2024. 

Letter 

Irresponsible and 

thoughtless dog 

owners 

GROBY IS A lovely village, but 

in recent months has become 

less so due to the increasing amount of dog muck that 

irresponsible owners are failing to pick up. 

I’ve lived in the village for over 5 years, have two dogs myself yet have 

never known it to be a problem as much as it has been in the last few 

months. I’m sure most dog owners are aware of their pets being creatures 

of habit usually going in the same place and are also well aware of what 

their dogs poo looks like. 

Given that it is regularly on the grass and pavement on Chapel Hill and 

Crane Ley Road I’m going to assume it’s likely to be the same people or 

group of people that think it’s acceptable to allow their dog to foul and 

simply walk away. The mess is also a problem on the green on Ratby 

Road, Ratby Road itself, Rookery Lane - particularly on the pavement just 

past the pub and on the park at the back of Flaxfield Close. 

These routes are walked by a lot of other villagers and especially little 

ones on the school run. It’s becoming infruriating that people can’t enjoy 

the village we live in because of the rank mess left behind by a thoughtless 

few. Dog faeces can also contain harmful bacteria and be really dangerous 

to other dogs, especially puppies. PICK IT UP! 

If anyone spots any dog mess please report to the councils clean 

neighbourhoods team - I submitted 14 reports in 13 days and sadly most of 

it remained. We need to do more! 

Groby resident that doesn’t want all dog 

owners to be given a bad name 

I say ‘no worries’ a lot for someone who is comprised of at least 82% worry.

4 


A great night of soul and 

Tamla Motown at Groby Club 

THE UK has always been 

a popular destination for 

American artists to tour. 

Many have found the lifestyle 

so enticing that they took up 

residence, and some never left. 

The list includes names like Gene 

Vincent, P J Proby, Madonna, Suzi 

Quattro and the Walker Brothers. 

There have also been some soulful 

immigrants like Sheila Ferguson 

of the Three Degrees, Geno 

Washington, Edwin Starr and in the 

1970’s, the Drifters. 

C J Jackson, who is performing 

at Groby Club on Saturday May 

18th, will not be a name that many 

residents will recognise despite his undeniable pedigree as a soul singer 

and his well earned title as The Man of Soul. “I am looking forward to 

delivering a great show at Groby Ex-Servicemens Club,” he said. 

He has been performing since the age of 16 with live bands, eventually 

forming his own called Exposure, leading to supporting Toyah Wilcox, The 

Specials and Hugh Masekela in the 80s. Singing with the Commitments 

tribute band The Revelations led to Staxlantic, a soul band who supported 

Jimmy Ruffin, George McCrae, Edwin Starr and Jimmy James. 

He’s no stranger to Leicester as he performed every month at Leicester’s 

live music venue the Shed with soul band Ten Feet Tall. He was spotted 

there by by leading sound engineer Geoff Beadman, who includes in his 

CV getting the right sound for Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson at the 

Fairfield Hall in Croydon. Beadman was currently working with Faye 

Treadwell’s Drifters, the American band that had relocated to the UK with 

Faye, their manager. 

Jackson was offered a gig with the group in 2000 and made such a good 

impression he sang with them for over two years. In his long career he’s 

supported many great artistes like the Three Degrees, The Real Thing, and 

George Macrae, and has recorded a song on Ian Levine’s 2012 Northern 

Soul Album. 

He’s well known all over the country at Warners, Grosvenor Casinos and 

the holiday park circuit and it should be a good night for soul and Tamla 

Motown fans. Perhaps he’ll feature some of the songs from his album “Man 

of Soul in addition to everyone’s Drifters favourites, and Classics like “Get 

Ready”, “My Girl”, “Sweet Soul Music”,”Love Train”,”Respect” and Northern 

Soul’s “ Out On The Floor.” 


DO YOU FORGET WHERE YOUR 

KEYS OR WALLET ARE? 

IT MAY BE irritating, but don’t worry – it does not mean 

that you are losing your memory. 

Instead, it is merely your brain forgetting them on purpose, so that it can 

store other information. 

That is the verdict of two academics whose book The Psychology of 

Memory, sets out to explain why we forget some things that we assume 

we should always know. 

Dr Megan Sumeracki and Dr Althea Kaminske argue that storing 

and retrieving information is far more complicated than people think. 

Dr Kaminske of Indiana University School of Medicine said: “Because 

we are most aware of our memory when we have trouble remembering 

something, our intuitions about how memory works might be a little 

biased. 

“For example, I spend an embarrassing amount of time looking for my 

phone, water bottle, and keys. You may be unsurprised to learn that our 

memory systems are not necessarily designed to remember where we put 

our phones. Or keys. Or water bottles. 

Co-author Dr Sumeracki of Rhode Island College added: “A degree 

of forgetting is natural to allow the brain to remember more general 

information. Memory does not work like a recording device, they say, but 

‘more like a Wiki page’ because details can be edited.” 

ARE YOU READY TO EMBRACE 

THE POWER OF THE SUN? 

When considering solar panel 

Moreover, having a local installer who 

ARE YOU READY installations,opting TO for battery EMBRACE storage is can guarantee after-sales service 

THE POWER 

a strategic choice that brings numerous ensures prompt assistance,efficient 

benefits to potential clients.By harnessing maintenance,and timely 

OF THE SUN? 

Please make an solar energy during the day and storing troubleshooting, ultimately providing 

appointment 

excess power in batteries, clients can peace of mind to clients.With solar 

to view existing enjoy a self-sufficient and reliable energy panels and battery storage, along with 

KAS ELECTRICAL SERVICES When considering solar panel 

scarce or during power outages.This not troubleshooting, ultimately providing 

installations, opting for battery storage is only enhances energy independence peace of mind to clients. With solar 

OF www.kaselectrical.co.uk THE SUN? 

jobs to get a feel for source when sunlight is scarce or during the assurance of reliable support from 

a strategic choice that brings numerous but also allows for significant cost 

panels and battery storage, along with 

how system looks & power outages.This not only enhances a local provider, clients can make a 

benefits to potential clients. By 

savings on electricity bills. Moreover, the assurance of reliable support from a 

operates. 07734 250768 energy harnessing independence solar energy during but the day also having allows a local for sustainable and smart investment for 

installer who can 

local provider, clients can make a 

Please make an appointment to 

significant and storing excess cost power savings batteries, on electricity guarantee bills. after-sales service their ensures energy needs. sustainable and smart investment for 

KAS ELECTRICAL view existing jobs SERVICES to get a feel for When clients considering can enjoy solar a self-sufficient panel and scarce prompt or assistance, during power efficient outages.This not their troubleshooting, energy needs. ultimately providing 

how system looks & operates. installations, reliable energy opting source for battery when sunlight storage is only maintenance, enhances and energy timelyindependence 

peace of mind to clients. With solar 

www.kaselectrical.co.uk 

KAS ELECTRICAL SERVICES 

a strategic choice that brings numerous but also allows for significant cost 

panels and battery storage, along with 

ARE YOU READY TO EMBRACE THE POWER 

www.kaselectrical.co.uk 

07734 250768 

benefits to potential clients. By 

Tel: 07734 250768 

harnessing solar energy during the day having a local installer who can 

local provider, clients can make a 

Please make an appointment to and storing excess power in batteries, guarantee after-sales service ensures sustainable and smart investment for 

view existing jobs to get a feel forMy wife clients accused can enjoy me a self-sufficient of being and self-important. prompt assistance, I nearly efficient fell off my throne. their energy needs. 

how system looks & operates. reliable energy source when sunlight is maintenance, and timely 

WATCHING My wife accused BIRDS me of being self-important. IS GOOD I nearly fell off my FOR throne. YOU 

I believe in reincarnation, so I’ve left all my money to myself. 

savings on electricity bills. Moreover, 

the assurance of reliable support from a 

SO SAYS A new study out of North Carolina State 

University. It goes on to say that watching birds is even 

more beneficial to us than watching other forms of 

wildlife. 

The new study found that birdwatchers’ recorded ‘distress’ levels dropped 

by 13.7 per cent, compared to that of nature-walkers’ at 6.9 per cent. 

The study suggests that the reason may be that birds provide their 

own narrative and sense of drama, which can be enough to lift someone 

watching them out of the everyday. 

The author and presenter Kate Humble agrees. “There is something 

reassuring about life continuing and nature just getting on with it, even if it 

feels like the rest of the world is falling to bits. Birdwatching makes me feel 

part of a bigger, richer, beautiful picture.” 

“Birds give me an excuse to explore and find some solitude and calmness 

away from the bustle of life,” says James Lowen, author of 52 Wildlife 

Weekends. “It helps put me in my place.” 

OPEN FARM SUNDAY – 9TH JUNE 

HUNDREDS OF farms across the UK are preparing to open 

their gates to the public. 

Open Farm Sunday is back for its 18th year and offers the public a chance 

to see how farmers can produce food sustainably, while also caring for the 

environment and wildlife. 

It is organised by the global sustainable farming charity LEAF (Linking 

Environment And Farming). The event has been praised as being a “great 

family day out”. 

Some farms opening on Open Farm Sunday are also LEAF Marque 

certified. This means that they are farming regeneratively, nurturing healthy 

soil, protecting water, supporting nature conservation and enhancing 

wildlife habitats. 

On those farms, people can find out more about the LEAF Marque, which 

they may have already seen on fruit, vegetables and other products in the 

supermarkets. More details at: www.farmsunday.org

6 


All the latest news from ... 

Groby COMMUNITY Library 

IT’S RAINING as I write this (surprise, surprise!), but 

some of the weather in the past week has actually been 

quite sunny and warm. Spring is here! So why not take the 

opportunity to stroll down to Leicester Road and see what 

we’ve got to offer in your public library. 

We always have a good range of the latest books (see the top ten below), 

and some well-loved older titles for you to borrow, free of charge. We’ve got 

a well-stocked children’s library with bean bags and toys, and you DON’T 

have to be quiet! 

We’ve got a fab café selling proper coffee, pots of tea and scrumptious 

cakes, where you can meet your friends to catch up on all the goss, and 

with the oncoming tropical temperatures you can sit outside on our picnic 

tables and watch the world go by. 

And we’ve got our usual offering of regular and special events. There’s 

another SMARTSY GLASS FUSION EVENT on the afternoon of June 

8th and this time adults can be accompanied by their responsible children! 

Watch out for details in the library and in Groby Community Library 

Facebook pages, including how to book your tickets online. 

DEMENTIA ACTION WEEK 

This edition of Spotlight is published just after Dementia Action Week, 

13th-19th May, but you won’t have lost the chance to have a look at our 

new collection of books giving advice to those caring for people who suffer 

from dementia. Twenty titles covering causes, practical ways of dealing 

with dementia, personal stories, Steve Thompson’s bestseller on dealing 

with dementia brought about by his professional rugby career, and books 

for children, will be available to borrow. We also have leaflets from Playlist 

for life, telling you how to use sufferers’ favourite music to aid memory work 

with them. 

RENT A SPACE IN THE LIBRARY 

Did you know that you can rent the library space for your group meetings? 

For a very reasonable rate, commencing at ten pounds per hour for 

community groups and increasing for commercial use, you can use the 

building for appropriate activities when the library is closed. 

Have a look at our website at http://www.grobylibrary.co.uk/community/ 

groby-community-library-14841/room-hire/ for terms and conditions, rental 

rates and a booking form. 

AGM ON 22ND MAY 

And don’t forget our AGM on May 22nd at 7.30! Open to anyone interested 

in the provision of a public library service in Groby. 

TOP TEN TIME 

And finally, the Top Ten! From The Sunday Times Bestsellers and in stock 

at Groby Library: 

Lee Child and Andrew Child 

Karin Slaughter 

Heather Morris 

Lisa Jewell 

Ann Cleeves 

Gabrielle Zevin 

Richard Osman 

Harla Coban 

Frieda McFadden 

Jeff Kinney 

Dave Robinson 

The Secret 

After That Night 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz 

None of This is True 

The Raging Storm 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow 

The Last Devil to Die 

I Will Find You 

The Housemaid’s Secret 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode 

Don’t forget to send us your news 

WE LOVE to hear from groups, organisations and individuals about 

what’s happening locally. Include a photo if you can. 

Email: info@grobyspotlight.co.uk Thanks! 

Date for your Diary 

NEWBOLD VERDON 

OPEN GARDENS 

Saturday 13th July 

10.30am - 5pm 

Cost £5 per person 

Under-12s free 

Cash or Card 

Get Programmes on the day from 

St James Church Hall, Main Street, 

Corner of Brascote Lane 

TEAS • PLANT STALL • RAFFLE 

AT LEAST 12 GARDENS OPEN 

Fully qualified & registered 

• Fully insured • Full DBS 

Jane Harwood-Scott 

DipFHP, MCFHP, MAFHP 

NOW TAKING ON NEW PATIENTS 

For appointments - Markfield 

Clinic or Home Visits ring: 

01530 242277 or 

07949 212128 

or email: 

footandtherapyclinic@gmail.com 

0116 234 0548 

We can take care of every detail, advise and help you 

on each and every step of the way. 

• Qualified Funeral Directors 

• Floral Tributes arranged 

• Hearse, Limousines and 

alternatives available 

• Monumental Service 

• Car parking available 

Flat Roof Repair, Ridges, 

Chinney 

Ridges 

Repointing 

• Dry Verge 

etc 

Flat Roof Repairs • Chimneys 

Repointing 

Kitchens, 

• Lead 

Doors, 

Work 

Windows all building work 

Fascia 

undertaken 

Boards • Guttering 

20 YEAR UPVC. Facia GUARANTEE 

Boards 

20yr guarantee 

Tel: 01530 243789 

Mobile 07866 518907 

npbbuilder@gmail.com 

1A JACQUELINE ROAD, MARKFIELD 

• Online tribute and 

donation profile 

• Catering suite 

• Chapels of rest 

• Funeral plans available 

• 24 hour service 

Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of 

your own home if preferred. 

Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT 

Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com 

I am a man of my word… and that word is “unreliable.”


7 

Spark Festival 

calls on kids 

to ‘give it a 

go’ this May 

in Leicester 

LEICESTER’S Spark Festival 

for Children is back to 

celebrate Joy, Freedom, 

and Choice from the 18th 

to 25th May 2024 with 

34 performances and 15 

chances for children to 

‘Give it a Go’ at activitybased 

workshops. 

The Spark Festival 2024 is 

packed with incredible events, 

activities, live music, dance and 

theatre for 

families, and 

much of it is 

free to enjoy! 

Celebrating 

its 21st year 

of putting children at the forefront 

of theatre and arts, this year’s big 

birthday festival has been created 

with the help of the self-named 

‘Mega Bosses’, a dynamic group 

of 8 to 13-year-olds from all over 

Leicester/shire, guided by artist 

Pasha Kincaid, who told Spark that 

‘they didn’t just want to watch great 

theatre and art, they wanted to 

participate in it too!’ 

When they heard this, Principal 

Festival Partner, De Montfort 

University, were only too happy 

to get involved and, as a result, 

this year’s The Spark Festival will 

see Leicester transformed into 

the biggest city-wide, children’s 

playground as local children are 

invited to ‘Give it a Go’ with free 

creative workshops, roleplay 

sessions, music making and print 

workshops over the seven days. 

Kicking off this year’s festival will 

be a takeover of two of Leicester’s 

biggest cultural venues, which will 

see De Montfort University and 

Leicester Museum and Art Gallery 

transformed into hubs of creativity, 

joy, and excitement with lots of free 

activities for all the family. 

This year, the ‘At Your School’ 

programme will bring theatre and 

dance directly to children at their 

school with Belongings, Birdie, and 

The Sticky Dance, as well as music 

with Indo-Jazz. All are specially 

curated for schoolchildren to bring 

some Spark-y magic and joy into 

their schools. 

Tickets for The Spark Festival 

are on sale now. To book, find out 

more and see the full programme 

of activities, visit https:// 

thesparkarts.co.uk/. The Spark 

Festival runs from 18th May to 25th 

May 2024. 

Dowding Solicitors Limited 

We offer a personal friendly 

service locally for all your legal 

requirements. 

• Wills 

• Lasting Power of Attorney 

• Administration of Estate 

(Probate) 

• Residential Sales and Purchase 

• Free Quotation 

Also at 12A High Street, Sileby, Leics. LE12 7RX 

Now at THE OLD RECTORY, 

MAIN STREET, GLENFIELD LE3 8DG 

Call today on 0116 232 5136 

or email: kathryn@dowdingsolicitors.co.uk 

For all aspects 

of painting & 

decorating 

m: 07738 531356 

e: rclemson@mail.com 

w: www.royclemson.co.uk 

 

ANSTEY 

SKIP HIRE 

MIDI AND MAXI SKIPS 

mobile: 07811 162 285 

Email: Ansteyskips@gmail.com 

I think one of the most groundbreaking inventions of all time is the pneumatic drill.

8 


News from Groby WI 

Afternoon Tea in Rearsby 

Spotlight Small Ads 

• Young girl’s BEDROOM 

FURNITURE SET. Excellent 

condition. Price: £140. 

Tel: 01530 243397 

(Markfield) 

• Flymo Ventura 320 ELECTRIC 

LAWNMOWER. Price: £15. 

Good runner. Complete with 

collection box and all leads. 

Tel: 07703 647636 (Groby) 

ON THE 11TH APRIL a group of 18 WI members went for 

afternoon tea at Beardsley’s Tea Room in Rearsby (above). 

We took over a really quaint room and enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea 

of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream and a selection of fancy 

cakes, accompanied by endless cups of tea and coffee served in delicate 

china cups. It is a lovely venue and in the Summer (if we ever get one!) 

there is a pretty outside seating area. They also serve light lunches. 

• THE REPORT on our April meeting was ably 

done by our President, Kate Gamble, as I had a 

theatre date to celebrate my birthday. 

The speaker was Margaret Dickinson (right) 

and she is an author of over thirty family sagas. 

Her first book was published in 1968 and she has 

subsequently written one book a year. Margaret was 

born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire before moving to 

the Lincolnshire coast at the age of seven. She now 

lives in Coalville so is a ‘local’. 

All of her books are set in real places that have 

inspired her. One such place was the Crich Tramway 

Museum. On learning about a tram that was in the blitz, she began to 

develop an idea about the ‘clippie’ on the tram that night and so another 

book was written. All her books are thoroughly researched to ensure 

accuracy of the time and 

place. Even the names of 

characters in her books 

are carefully chosen 

using census records and 

graveyards for inspiration. 

Locally she has written a 

book set in Beaumanor 

Hall called ‘Wartime 

Friends’. On researching 

the book she found out 

many interesting things 

from local historians about 

the women who were 

based there during the 

war. 

Margaret trained as a 

secretary and her skills 

of touch typing haven’t 

diminished (although she says she is not as accurate now)! She tends to 

write in the morning and her favourite part of the whole process is when the 

book has been written, she edits it before it goes to her editor and then her 

publisher. 

She told us two anecdotes of book signings: where a man gave her a 

bunch of yellow roses as a thank you for giving him many hours of peace 

while his wife was reading her books! At another signing, a man told her 

that he loved her singing, mistaking her for Barbara Dickson! Margaret’s 

talk proved to be very interesting and was enjoyed by the WI members. 

We meet at Groby Village Hall on the third Thursday of the month at 

7.30pm.New members are always welcome. 

Ruth Rolinson 

• Rollator WALKING AID. 3 wheel 

FOLDING WALKER as new with 

detachable bag. Price £35. 

• 2 wheeler ALUMINIUM 

WALKING FRAME as new, folds 

completely flat. Price £20. 

Can deliver locally. 

Tel. 01530 249152 

(Markfield). 

• FREE FOR COLLECTION - 7 

textured PAVING SLABS - 2ft x 

2ft in good condition. 

Tel: 07754 801217 

(Markfield) 

• Yamaha PSR E363 ELECTRIC 

ORGAN with music rest, stand 

and touch sensitive keys. Hardly 

used.Price: £80. 

Tel: 07592 459218 

(Thornton) 

• MOUNTAIN BIKE. Used just 

once from new due to medical 

condition. Maxima Special Edition 

Storm. 24” wheels, suitable for 

teenage upwards. VGC. 15 gears. 

Price: £75. 

• Bontempi DIGITAL DRUM 

KIT. 4 programmable pads and 

many different sounds/ styles. 

Boxed with instructions. VGC. 

Price: £40. 

• Retro CD PLAYER/ RADIO. 

Worldwide Links. Designed as 

an old style radio in wooden 

teak finish. Lovely piece in good 

working order. Price: £45. 

• Russell Hobbs COFFEE 

MAKING MACHINE (beans). 

Stainless Steel. Good Condition. 

Price: £10. 

• Electric PLUNGE ROUTER 

MACHINE for woodworking 

corners and grooves. Power 

Craft 1050 watt motor, Parallel 

& Template Guide complete with 

Router Bit set and user guide. 

Boxed. Price: £25. 

• Exercise AIRWALKER/ 

CROSS TRAINER. Christopeit 

Sport. Works Arms & Legs. Price: 

£10 

• Exercise SIT UP CHAIR/ 

MACHINE. AB Lounge Ultra 

Sport folds for easy storage. 

Take the stress off the rest of 

your body whilst focusing on the 

stomach and side muscles. Price: 

£5. 

• BINOCULARS. Chinon 

Countryman 10 x 50 with carry 

box. Price: £15 

Tel: 0116 287 0375 (LE6 

0BN) 

• Four white outside 

STACKABLE CHAIRS - plastic, 

in very nice condition, with black 

good quality cover. Price: £20. 

• SUN LOUNGER - metal fram 

with adjustable back rest. As 

new. Completely foldable for 

storage.Price: £20. 

Tel: 0116 260 1865 (Groby) 

• SEASALT DRESS - Size 12, 

never worn, still with price tag 

attached. Described on label 

as St. Enodoc dress in Narrows 

Dahlia Flint. Price tag says 

£49.95. Price £20.00. 

Tel: 07966 253612. 

(Markfield) 

• RAISED BED KIT, galvanised 

metal 1metre sq. by 30cm high. 

Brand new, extra to requirement 

Price: £20. 

• Karcher 411A PRESSURE 

WASHER. Price: £30. 

Tel. 01530 242793 

(Markfield) 

• PRINTER - HP ENVY 5544 

- Printer, Scanner, Copier, Web 

Photo. Fully Working with leads 

and instructions included. Price: 

£50. 

• ROBERTS RADIO - FM & 

DAB. Mains & Battery. Price £10. 

Tel: 01530 245944 

(Markfield) 

• Apachie GT08 SMART 

WATCH. Price: £10 

• Apachie FITNESS TRACKER 

WATCH. Price: £10 

• Portable AIR CONDITIONER 

DEHUMIDIFIER AIR COOLER 

With Sealing Kit 7000btu/hr. 

Price: £200 

• Draper Self-Propelled PETROL 

LAWN MOWER with Mulching, 

510mm, 173cc/4.4HP. Price: 

£200 

All new in box 

Tel: 07792 926452 

(Markfield) 

SEND DETAILS by post or email - 

sorry, we can’t take them over the 

phone. Maximum EIGHT items please. 

No business ads. Our postal address 

is: Spotlight Small Ads, PO Box 

8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT 

or you can email details to: info@ 

grobyspotlight.co.uk PLEASE 

ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL ADS’ 

in the subject line, and INCLUDE 

YOUR FULL POSTAL ADDRESS (not 

for publication, just to let people know 

where you are). 

The second date went downhill fast when I showed up with a scrapbook of our first date.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT COMING UP AT 

GROBY CLUB 

Saturday 18th May 

CJ JACKSON 

Formerly of The Drifters 

Saturday 25th May 

CHRIS ROBIN 

Excellent Vocalist 

Friday 31st May 

BEATLES TRIBUTE 

Tickets: £10.00 

Saturday 1st June 

BASH 

Quality Four-Piece Band 

Saturday 8th June 

FUN DAY/OPEN DAY 

12 noon till 5pm 

Plus ... KIM B 

Very Good Female Vocalist 

In The Evening 


BROTHERS IN SOUL 

Very Good Duo 

Friday 21st June 

DEM BOYZ 

Caribbean Party Band 

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE 

www.ticketsource.co.uk 

Saturday 22nd June 

SUSAN LOUISA 

Great Female Entertainer 

Don’t Miss The 

Fun Day 


BOUNCY CASTLE 

KIDDIES RIDE DISCO 

PLUS OTHER ENTERTAINMENT! 

12 noon till 5pm 

Come and have some fun! 

16-18 Leicester Rd, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ Phone: 0116 287 1809

10 


IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM 

advised to change her name! 

IN MARCH the Spotlight reported 

on the problem of 

identity fraud and the easy 

way to help reduce the risk 

of becoming a target. 

Although easy, it will cost an individual 

over £300 a year even though 

in the USA it is free. The Home Office 

and the Financial Conduct Authority 

have been asked why we 

have to pay to stop unauthorised access 

to our data, but no-one seems 

inclined to answer. 

During April the BBC Radio 4 consumer 

programme You and Yours 

ran an item on identity fraud, followed 

by a phone-in for listeners to 

share their experiences. Anyone 

who doesn’t think this can happen 

to them needs to listen to the programmes 

on BBC Sounds, and the 

first hand accounts of some of the 

273,000 victims each year. 

The driving licence scam 

One listener was shocked when 

she received a letter telling from the 

DVLA telling her she was banned 

from driving for six months because 

she had exceeded the number of 

penalty points allowed on her driving 

licence. When she investigated 

she discovered that her driving licence 

details were linked to speeding 

tickets for vehicles she had no 

connection with. Her name and driving 

licence number were being sold 

to people who didn’t want the points 

on their record. The speeding ticket 

would be sent to the registered 

keeper who would then say she was 

driving the vehicle on that day and 

would provide her details. 

The ban was imposed by the 

courts who then advised the DVLA. 

Meanwhile the tickets kept coming 

and she asked the DVLA if she 

could change her licence number. 

They said she couldn’t do that as 

the licence number is made out of 

your name and date of birth, “so why 

don’t you change your name?” 

She had to go to court to get the 

ban overturned but meanwhile 

couldn’t drive for two months and 

had to cancel a camping trip with 

her children. “It had a huge impact 

BROOKVALE BLINDS 

WOODEN ROMAN PLEATED 

H FREE home visit, quote and installation 

H Prompt, reliable, local service 

H Vertical, Venetian, Roller, Pleated, Roman & Wooden Blinds 

H Over 20 Years Experience 

Tel: 0116 239 0484 or 07976 572926 

Email: gkent54@btinternet.com 

on me during the course of those 2 

months,” she said. 

The mobile phone scam 

Another caller, Mike, said he received 

a letter from a debt chasing 

agency saying he owed £1000. 

Someone had bought a mobile 

phone in his name, but not used 

his bank account, nor his email 

address or telephone number. All 

correspondence went to the fraudster’s 

email address including details 

of the delivery of the phone. 

They had paid a deposit and set up 

a direct debit from a bank account 

which they closed as soon as they 

received the phone. They impersonated 

Mike and intercepted delivery. 

It took over 3 months for it to be fully 

resolved. 

£10,000 debts incurred 

Greg, in London, received welcome 

packs from a computer supplier 

and a mobile phone company, 

and then discovered that fraudsters 

had run up debts of about £10,000 in 

his name. It took him a year to sort it 

out. One of the fraudulent transactions 

was in a local store who produced 

CCTV video of the imposter. 

“I went to my local police station and 

told them what happened but they 

just weren’t interested,” said Greg. 

“They said you need to contact Action 

Fraud, who gave me a crime 

number, but I never heard anything 

more from them.” 

Action Fraud does not investigate 

fraud and cannot advise you on the 

progress of a case. When you contact 

Action Fraud you will receive 

a police crime reference number. 

Reports taken are passed to the 

National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. 

Not every report results in an investigation, 

but every report helps 

to build a clear picture. Although 

this contributes to making the UK a 

more hostile place for fraudsters to 

operate in and helps to keep other 

potential victims safe, it is all after 

the event. 

The sad fact is that the fraud tsunami 

is too great for the police to 

investigate, and it is up to the individual 

to take what steps they can to 

protect themselves and prevent the 

financial loss and emotional misery 

which can be the result. For more information 

Google grobylinx to read 

the March 2024 article. 

You can 

listen on BBC Sounds to Radio 4’s 

You and Yours episodes broadcast 

on 17 April and 23 April. 


They say you should never go back to a firework once it’s 

been lit. Our back garden’s been out of bounds since 1986. 

I went to an Indian restaurant last night. After I ordered, 

a little old lady came to me and said ‘Aren’t you polite. You have such 

lovely manners.’ Apparently, it was my complimentary nan. 

Rupert Matthews 

Re-Elected 

RUPERT MATTHEWS 

has been re-elected as 

Leicestershire’s Police and 

Crime Commissioner (PCC). 

Speaking after the declaration 

Rupert Matthews said: “I am 

honoured to have been re-elected 

as Police and Crime Commissioner 

to serve our diverse community for 

the next four years. 

“I now have been given the 

opportunity to complete and build 

upon my mandate to put the law 

abiding public first and protect 

victims of crime. 

“I look forward to continuing to 

engage with those I am proud to 

represent each and every day.” 

More information about 

Mr Matthews, including his 

Manifesto, can be found on his 

personal website at https://www. 

rupertmatthews.org.uk/ 

The Commissioner took up the 

role officially on 9th May 2024 to 

serve a four-year term until May 

2028. 

I went into a clothing store, and the lady asked me what size I was, I said, ‘Actual’ … I’m not to scale.


80 years ago: 

The D-Day 

Normandy 

Landings 

• New Guttering • Wood Staining • Repointing 

• Ridge Tiles • Chimney Stacks • Roof Valley 

• Dry Verge • Flat Roofing • Dry Ridge • Lead Flashing 

• Moss Removal • Slate/Tile Roofing 

• UPVC Fascia, Soffits & Gutters 

FREE QUOTATION AND FREE EMERGENCY CALL OUT 

Proprietor: Elias Bell 

11 

1 Maynard Close, Bagworth, LE67 1BU 

Mobile: 07494820600 - Freephone: 0800 292 7391 

Kirby Muxloe Podiatry 2023 Ltd 

l 

l 

l 

Practice established over 25 years 

Treatments include the use of Local Anaesthetic 

for ingrowing toenails. 

Diabetic Foot Health Assessment and Advice 

2B Main Street, Kirby Muxloe LE9 2AL 

Tel: 0116 2392024 

Email: kirbymuxloepodiatry2023@gmail.com 

EIGHTY YEARS AGO, on 6th June 1944, the D-Day 

Normandy Landings took place. More than 150,000 Allied 

troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. The Battle of 

Normandy ended on 25th August with an Allied victory. 

The question of what the D stood for has never been absolutely 

determined: some say it just stood for Day; others maintain it was 

Disembarkation, because it was an amphibious operation. What is sure is 

that there was a spiritual dimension. General Eisenhower, the commander 

of Operation Overlord, urged those taking part to “beseech the blessing 

of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking”, and President 

Roosevelt broadcast a prayer to the nation – the United States, that is. 

Before June 5 – the original date for D-Day, before bad weather forced a 

rethink – a massive and successful series of deceptions were put in place 

to make the Nazis think the invasion would come elsewhere. The Germans 

were certainly confused. Hitler, thinking the attack was a feint, refused to 

send reinforcements, and their strategy was hampered by the absence of 

their brilliant Commander Erwin Rommel, who was on leave. 

Nevertheless, the Americans suffered over 2,000 casualties at Omaha 

Beach, which was the most heavily defended. Altogether it was reckoned 

that over 4000 Allied troops were killed, but about 156,000 successfully 

stormed the beaches, and many landed behind the lines, including 

American paratrooper Private John Steele, who descended on to the 

pinnacle of the church tower in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first village to be 

liberated by the U S Army. Lit up by searchlights, he survived by pretending 

to be dead, was captured and then escaped, joining the invading soldiers. 

This year handmade silhouettes of almost 1,500 servicemen were 

transported to Normandy for an art installation, Standing with Giants, to 

mark the anniversary. 

ICN Computer Services 

icn 

computer 

services 

PC Maintenance, Configuration and Repairs 

New PC’s and Laptops, including set up 

18 years of providing Local IT Services 

Open Mon - Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 9am to 12 noon 

0116 2393455 or 07708 437674 

GAS-SERVWELL 

Established 1984 

All gas appliances 

serviced, repaired 

and fitted 

˜ 

˜ 

˜ 

˜ 

OAP 

General Plumbing & Repairs 

Reduced 

Same Day Priority Breakdown Visits Rates 

Power Flushing and Heating Upgrades 

5-15 year Guarantee On Fitted Boilers - Parts & Labour 

Tel: 0116 236 7923 Mob: 07860 735066 

Email: bobzgas@gmail.com 

REGISTER 

GENERAL PLUMBING 

& REPAIRS - No Job Too Small 

I have a telescope on the peep hole of my door so I can see who is at the door for 200 miles.

12 


Groby & Field 

Head Spotlight 

PO Box 8, Markfield, 

Leics. LE67 9ZT 

Telephone 

01530-244069 

Email us at: info@ 

grobyspotlight.co.uk 

Visit the website at 

www.grobyspotlight.co.uk 

3,500 copies distributed 11 times 

a year (no issue in July) to homes 

and businesses in Groby, Field 

Head and The Brantings. 

Printed in Ellistown by Norwood Press. 

The Spotlight is a monthly 

compilation of articles, press releases, 

events, general items of interest and 

news items submitted to us by local 

residents, groups, associations, sports 

clubs and local authorities. 

The opinions expressed by 

contributors are not necessarily those 

of the Spotlight Production Team. The 

inclusion of any group or organisation 

in this publication does not 

necessarily imply a recommendation 

of its aims, methods or policies. 

Groby & Field Head Spotlight 

cannot be held responsible for 

the information disclosed by 

advertisements, all of which are 

accepted in good faith. 

Every effort is made to ensure the 

accuracy of information in this 

magazine, but no liability can be 

accepted for loss or inconvenience 

caused as a result of error or 

omission. 

Groby & Field Head Spotlight 

reserves the right to amend, shorten 

or refuse to publish articles and/ 

or advertisements submitted for 

publication. 

All contents © Groby & Field Head 

Spotlight. 

None of the articles contained in this 

magazine are to be reproduced in any way 

without first obtaining written consent from 

Groby & Field Head Spotlight. 

Planning 

consent given 

for Stamford 

Arms deli/ 

coffee shop 

HINCKLEY AND BOSWORTH Borough Council has 

approved a plan for alterations at the Stamford 

Arms, a Grade II Listed public house, to create a new 

deli/coffee shop. 

The Leicester Road street scene will remain unchanged, as the 

redevelopment will take place at the rear of the property near the children’s 

play area. The new floorspace will be part of the main pub and the space 

will operate as deli/coffee shop during the day but be part of the pub during 

the evening. The hours of operation will be the same as for the existing 

pub. 

Six members of the public objected to the proposal, but no-one spoke 

against it at the meeting. Several objectors expressed concerns regarding 

the scheme’s financial impact on the viability of the Community Library’s 

cafe, as it is a major source of income. 

The Planning Officer felt that the Borough Council is not able to 

demonstrate that the provision of this new cafe facility within an existing 

public house will result in the loss of Groby Library and cafe. The Offficer 

added that Groby’s Ex-Servicemen’s Club also offers hot food and drinks. 

However, Friday afternoon and Saturday morning are the only days that the 

club has any significant overlap of opening hours with the Library cafe. 

No mention was made of similar facilities (with limited seating) available 

at Groby Fish Bar and Bradgate Stores. The planner added that similar 

products can also be purchased at the local Co-Operative Food store, but 

this is hardly relevant as the Co-op sells ‘coffee to go’ and a completely 

different market. The library cafe is popular with families and residents 

meeting friends in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. 

However, none of this detracts from the Planner’s conclusion that it is 

impossible to forecast whether a new facility at the Stamford Arms will 

impact on the income of the Community Library. 

Parish Council concerns 

Whilst accepting the development in principle, Groby Parish Council 

expressed concerns regarding the overdevelopment of the site, and the 

insufficient parking in the area to accommodate the intensification of the 

use of the site. 

Due to the siting, moderate size, and scale of the development, and the 

presence of the existing pub car park, the development is not considered 

by the Planning Department to have a visible presence within the street 

scene of the Conservation Area. The scheme does not extend beyond 

the existing building lines of the side and rear elevations of the property. 

Ultimately, it is considered that these works, and the internal alterations that 

form the arrangements for the deli/coffee shop, retain the plan form of the 

Listed Building. 

Given the small scale of the proposal, this new use is not considered to 

significantly intensify the use of the site to the detriment of neighbouring 

residential amenity, nor is it considered that the proposals are likely to 

exacerbate an existing highway safety concern in the area. 

Objectors also sited the ‘monopolisation of the village’, insufficient offstreet 

vehicle parking, and highway safety concerns. As a result of the 

size and scale of the scheme, the existing off-street parking provision for 

the site, and the presence of Traffic Regulation Orders within the area it is 

considered that the impacts of the development on highway safety are not 

unacceptable, and when considered cumulatively with other developments, 

the scheme’s impacts on the road network are unlikely to be severe. No 

additional parking spaces are proposed. There are currently 31 spaces 

available. 


Planning 

applications 

Two storey front extension and 

single storey side extension - at 

2 Meadow Lane, Stanton 

Under Bardon, Markfield, 

Leicestershire LE67 9TL 

Construction of portal framed 

building for the storage of 

vehicle equipment - at Denbar 

Lodge, Hillside, Markfield, 

Leicestershire LE67 9UP 

Single storey rear extension, new 

front porch, garage conversion and 

roof alteration - at 35 Highfield 

Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GU 

Single storey rear and side 

extension - at 45 Woodbank 

Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0BP 

Single storey side and rear 

extension and new boundary 

fence - at 27 Pine Tree Avenue, 

Groby, Leicester LE6 0EQ 

Loft conversion with front and rear 

dormers - at 13 Hilary Crescent, 

Groby, Leicester LE6 0BG 

Two storey rear extension and 

single storey garage to the front 

- at 209 Leicester Road, Field 

Head, Markfield, Leicestershire 

LE67 9RF 

You can find local planning 

applications on the Hinckley 

& Bosworth Borough Council 

website. Type the following 

address into your browser bar: 

https://pa.hinckley-bosworth. 

gov.uk/online-applications/ 

When I die, I want something 

special. I want to be chopped up 

into 195 parts and a piece of me 

left in every country in the world. 

That’s me all over. 

My brother took going to jail 

really badly. He refused food 

and drinks, spat and swore at 

anyone who came near him, 

and started throwing things 

everywhere. After that, we never 

played Monopoly again. 

A man was mugged yesterday 

by two men who hit him over the 

head with a bag of potatoes. The 

police asked him 

if he’d recognise 

them again and he 

said ‘Yes, they were 

King Edwards.’ 

My wife can’t cook at all. She made chocolate mousse; an antler got stuck in my throat.

GROBY PARISH COUNCIL 

Tel: 0116 2876985 • Email: parishclerk@groby.com • Website:www.groby.com 

__________________________________________________________ 

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 

This is a summary of my report which I gave at the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 25 th April 2024. This meeting is where all 

Groby Parish residents are invited to attend and meet the Council, hear about what the Council has done during the past year, ask 

questions of Council and also to see what the various community groups in the Parish are doing. We were happy to have 

representatives from Groby Churches Together, 73 rd Leicester (Groby) Scout Group Bradgate Rotary, Groby Parish Neighbourhood 

Plan, Groby Allotment Society, Groby Juniors Football Club and Groby CIC there. 

We have had a very varied year as a Parish Council with some achievements and also some drawbacks. But firstly, the positives 

from this last year: - 

• The Memorial Rose Garden on Stamford Park was completed, with an official opening by Ady Dayman from Radio Leicester. It 

has been a great success, and we are grateful for the involvement of our Clerk, obviously, for managing the project, but also to 

Cllr Baker and the Estates Management team who brought it to fruition. It was funded by a pot of money we were given from a 

previous housing development for natural green spaces and so has not cost us, Council precept payers, anything. 

• A long-term lease for the Scouts was eventually agreed, to ensure that the Scouts can now apply for significant grants to further 

update and improve their premises. They do such a good job giving our young people, boys and girls, important life skills & 

experience of collaborative team working that we are proud to have enabled them to successfully continue for many years. 

• Wildflower verges have been introduced around the Parish to help protect the environment, encouraging biodiversity, and in 

particular our pollinating insects. Many trees have also been planted around the Parish to replace the old and damaged trees 

that we have had to cut down and more trees have been planted to help to combat climate change and improve the 

atmosphere. 

• We have continued to maintain the open green spaces, parks and cemeteries, and we intend to install a sensory garden on 

Marina Park and some new play equipment, as well as update the BMX track there, all funded by what is known as Section 106 

money, money that a developer has had to donate to improve the immediate public areas when a new housing scheme is 

approved. This money must be spent on particular things, hence the play equipment stipulation. 

• The Neighbourhood Plan is almost complete and on its final investigation into an environmental assessment before coming to 

all residents for your views before it goes off for assessment. There are a large number of people (12) on the steering group, of 

which only four are parish councillors with the rest being residents. 

• Regular litter picking events continue to take place with a joint team of councillors and residents to help keep our Parish 

looking nice, although it is quite a task sometimes. Our last litter pick collected over 40 large bin bags of rubbish in only two 

hours. 

• A D-Day 80 th Commemoration event will take place at St Philip & St James’ Church, Groby on Thursday 6 th June 2024, starting 

with a Church service at 8.30pm followed by the beacon lamp lighting at 9.15pm. There will be a flyer and posters around the 

Parish soon detailing what is happening. Do come along if you can but if you cannot attend, in order to have Parish involvement 

in commemorating this anniversary, we are asking if you could place a light in your window at 9.15pm on 6 th June to honour the 

sacrifice of all those who took part in that dramatic event. 

• £3000 was provided earlier in the year to employ a planning specialist to oppose the proposed housing development at the rear 

of some Field Head houses but we fully expect that both the Field Head development and the IM Properties proposal to site a 

warehouse and distribution depot across the A50 will also rear their heads again in the not too distant future. 

Now for the not so positive aspects: - 

• We, sadly, have had to increase our Precept this year by 29%. Whilst it may not amount to a huge amount of money in 

comparison to the rest of the council tax, 51p per week for a Band D property, it has meant that Council are unable to budget 

for many things that we wanted to achieve. We are not alone as other neighbouring Parish Councils have also had to increase 

their precept substantially. Our coffers are severely depleted. Why is this? It is because there have been many challenges this 

last year which have cost us a lot of money. We had a huge external auditor’s bill of £39,000 because of many objections from a 

resident and have also had to finance specialists to investigate and report on other complaints. We have had to budget for 

more challenges, and we are also obliged to keep a minimum of three months expenditure in our reserves to pay for outgoings, 

which means that the budget is really under pressure. 

• We have also had a difficult year as staff and councillors alike have been subjected to harassment, bullying and intimidation. 

We have had to purchase body-worn cameras for our Estates staff to wear as they have been subject to physical assault. This is 

an extremely regrettable situation. So, we have not been able to progress the business of Council as quickly as we would like. 

We hope to be able to get this under control fairly soon so that we can move forward as a Council to work together and provide 

positive benefits for the Parish. If we can work collaboratively, with the Parish and its facilities as our focus, then everyone can 

benefit. 

Carol Lincoln 

Chair of Groby Parish Council 

I just realized my countertop is made of marble. I have been taking it for granite all these years.

14 


Groby Allotments Society News - from Carol Lincoln 

A new fence for our 

footpath 

BY THE TIME you read this, 

our new fence should be in 

place along the Ratby Road 

to Chapel Hill footpath. 

As I write at the beginning of May, 

work has just begun and so by the 

time the Spotlight drops through 

your door, it should be finished! We 

have maintained the old fence for 

many years but it is at the end of 

it’s life, with having to replace so 

many rotten wooden stakes and 

posts over the years, we need a 

new one. We 

were really 

lucky to obtain 

a National 

Lottery grant 

to be able to 

afford it as the 

fence is metal 

and much more 

secure and 

should be maintenance-free for a 

good many years. 

We have also taken the opportunity, 

with agreement from the parish 

council, to widen the footpath in 

places so that it is more uniform 

in width. We therefore hope it will 

be more convenient for all users to 

travel down it easily, whether with 

pushchairs or mobility aids. 

We will ensure that the footpath 

remains open whilst the new fence 

is erected. Once we have the new 

fence in place, the next item on 

the agenda is to see if we can get 

anyone to donate some material 

to make the footpath a little easier 

to walk on. It is only a field path, 

but all the recent wet weather did 

make walking down it an interesting 

experience! 

Open Shed Sundays 

New Allotment tenants 

& new raised beds for 

rent 

WE HAVE welcomed quite a 

few new allotment tenants 

lately and it is really nice to 

see new faces on the plots. 

It is good to see new blood and 

new friends on site but also sad to 

say goodbye to some old friends. 

We hope to meet the needs of all 

members by offering smaller plot 

sizes for those who find they no 

longer have the time or energy to 

work larger plots and we have just 

finished a new raised bed area. 

This plot has a number of raised 

beds on it for those who just don’t 

have the time to devote to a larger 

area, just want to grow a small 

variety of produce or for those of us 

who can’t bend down as far as we 

used to! 

We are renting out one or more 

of these raised beds and we have 

even provided a community shed 

on the plot, where garden tools can 

be stored to save carrying them 

to and from home. We hope that 

these new raised beds will be a 

huge success. They are part of our 

wish to provide as many people as 

possible, the chance to enjoy the 

experience of growing and eating 

your own food. It really does taste 

so much better than anything that 

you can buy in the shops! 

It is also good to see what people 

decide to plant. There are all the 

usual vegetables of course, but 

some of us decide to try out new 

types of vegetables or more exotic 

varieties. We had one tenant 

who used to grow chickpeas. At 

times this year, I felt like it would 

be easier to grow rice as we’ve 

certainly had enough rain for it! 

I’ m not being very adventurous 

with the vegetable seeds this year 

though. The weather has been so 

awful these last few months, so 

cold and wet that it has been an 

effort getting anything to germinate 

but I’m pleased to say that they 

are on their way at last now, so 

here’s hoping. Everything seems to 

catch up eventually. Nature is very 

resourceful! 

A new group of 

volunteers 

WE HAVE set up a What App 

volunteers group amongst 

our allotment members 

who can be available to get 

some occasional jobs done 

on the sites. 

It has been very successful so 

far and we have had about a 

dozen people making themselves 

available for various jobs each 

time. It is so nice to see people 

coming together to help out, 

despite our busy lives these days. 

We manage and run the society 

and maintain the plots by our 

volunteers. Where would we be 

without them! 

Ratby Road allotments 

centenary in 2025 

WE ARE still looking for 

people who have any 

recollections or photos 

of the 

Ratby 

Road 

site in 

days 

gone by 

so we 

can fill in a storyboard of 

the allotments through the 

years. 

So if you have any family 

associations with the allotments 

there, and can find anything for us 

to use, please do get in touch. 

You can email us at: 

grobyallotments@yahoo.com 

Groby Walkers celebrate their 15th birthday! 

WE HOLD our social 

events, open to 

allotmenteers and villagers 

alike, once a month on the 

first Sunday of the month. 

We have bacon or sausage cobs 

or vegetarian options and tea or 

coffee as well as a chance to buy 

some vegetable or flowering plants, 

raised from seed in our allotment 

greenhouse or even some 

produce. Rhubarb has been on 

offer recently. Our doors are open 

from 10am to 12 noon, so do come 

down and join us if you can and say 

hello and have a chat. 

TO CELEBRATE the 15th anniversary of the Groby Walkers on May 2nd we went on a 

enjoyable coach trip to Bakewell and Buxton. 

The walkers meet every Thursday at 10am at Groby Village Hall and we usually walk for an hour from there. On 

the last Thursday we do an ‘away’ walk when we car share and go slightly further afield.There is also a ‘strollers’ 

group which walk at a slower pace for those slightly less mobile. All are welcome. 

I put my grandma on speed dial the other day. I call it insta-gran.


15 

FAST FREE LOCAL DELIVERY 

BEKO 

EDC634S 

60cm electric cooker 

Double oven 

Ceramic hob 

Enamal lining 

1yr Guarantee 

69 litres main oven 

SONY 

KD32W800P1U 

32” HD SMART TV 

HD READY DISPLAY 

FREEVIEW PLAY 

GOOGLE ASSISTANT 

3 HDMI PORTS 

CATCH UP TV 

NEED A PLUMBER 

? 

For a Friendly, Local, Reliable Service 

in All Aspects of Plumbing & Heating 

Call 

Chris 

FREE 

ADVICE 

Tel: 01530 244635 Mobile: 07507 554403 

LEICESTER ROAD, MARKFIELD 

Plumbing & Heating 

504317 

Fitted Kitchens 

We are pleased to announce 

that we are now agents for 

A.W.E Kitchens and Bedrooms 

Who specialise in 

Bespoke made to measure 

kitchen & bedroom furniture 

Please call in for further details 

Blomberg 

LWF174310W 

Washing Machine 

1400rpm Spin Speed 

7Kg Load Capacity 

28 Min Fast Full Load 

16 Programmes 

D Rated 

BEKO 

CIFY81X 

Built-In Single Oven 

5 Functions 

66 Ltr Oven 

Fan Assisted 

Stainless Steel 

A Rated 

FREE DELIVERY 

with 

Personal Service 

“Ask About our 

Same Day/Next Day 

Installation 

and Removal Service” 

BOSCH 

KGN27NLEAG 

55cm Fridge-freezer 

Frost-free 

50/50 

255l total capacity 

2 year warranty 

BOSCH 

SMS2ITW08G 

DISHWASHER 

12 PLACE SETTINGS 

DELAY START 

ECO WASH 

5yr Guarantee 

ANSTEY 

There’s no need 

to replace the 

window - we 

will replace the 

glass unit for you 

Just cal our small, friendly firm - whether it’s one 

window or a full house - with approximate sizes, 

and we’ll give you a price OVER THE PHONE 

or a free call out if you prefer. 

0116 431 8176 

My wife left me because I’m insecure. No wait she’s back. She just went to get coffee.

16 


County Councillor’s Report from Ozzy O’shea 

Email: ozzy.o’shea@leics.gov.uk or ozzyoshea@hotmail.com 

Tel 0116 239 4336 Mobile 07808 585825 

The Local Nature 

Recovery Strategy 

THIS AIMS to make space for 

nature and bring long-term benefits 

for people and the environment. It 

is primarily aimed at landowners, 

farmers, local authorities, and 

environmental groups. 

We want to work together with 

communities to deal with the 

problems and impacts of global 

warming and the loss of species 

and habitats, therefore we seek 

your input to help us agree the 

strategy and, based on this, to 

create a plan to deliver it. 

We’re asking: 

• residents for their views about 

nature; 

• environmental groups with a 

special interest for their ideas and 

concerns; 

• those responsible for managing 

land for their views on what 

is achievable, that they could 

contribute to, and any help or 

support they need to deliver on 

those commitments, to help make 

more space for nature. 

All these views and ideas will 

contribute to the final strategy. It’s 

the only way to produce something 

that brings about the benefits we 

all agree for people and nature 

in Leicestershire, Leicester, and 

Rutland. After all, nature’s future is 

our future too. 

Have Your Say 

We’re seeking views to influence 

the priorities in the strategy. We’re 

doing this through: 

• gathering your feedback on 

existing and planned actions for 

nature, ideas for where and how we 

could make more space for nature, 

and any pressures or concerns - 

• Surveys for the public and 

stakeholders to share their views: 

Stakeholders and key partners 

For organisations, including: 

farmers, landowners, land 

managers, developers, 

environmental charities, nongovernment 

organisations, public 

sector organisations, schools and 

community groups. 

Members of the public 

If you’re a member of the public, 

please have your say using the 

resident survey 

If you type in the following or copy 

and paste it into your browser bar it 

will take you to the two surveys. 

https://www.leicestershire. 

gov.uk/have-your-say/currentengagement/local-naturerecovery-strategy-development 

The consultation closes on the 26th 

May. 

Temporary Traffic 

Regulation Order, 

Leicester Road, Groby 

A TEMPORARY Traffic Regulation 

Order (TTRO) is to be made for the 

following location: Leicester Road, 

Groby, to allow Leicestershire 

County Council to undertake 

footway patching works. 

The duration of the restriction is not 

anticipated to exceed a period of 8 

days commencing on the 24th June 

2024 between the hours of 9am 

and 3pm. 

Another Record Year 

For Primary School First 

Choices 

PARENTS ACROSS 

Leicestershire have been finding 

out which primary school their child 

will attend this autumn. 

With 7,012 applications received 

this year, a record 99% of children 

across the county have been 

offered a place at one of their top 

three school preferences. 

94.6% of youngsters due to start 

school for the first time have 

secured a place at their first 

preference school, with 3.6% being 

offered their second preference 

and 0.9% being offered their third 

preference primary school. 

The county council is also 

reminding parents that if a school 

place has been refused, the child 

will have been placed on the 

school’s waiting list. If a place 

becomes available parents will be 

contacted automatically. 

Primary school offers for autumn 

2024 were revealed across the 

country on Tuesday 16 April. 

The admissions process in 

Leicestershire adheres to central 

government rules and gives 

parents the right to have an appeal 

heard by an Independent Appeal 

Panel. 

Parents who applied on paper will 

receive a letter and those who 

applied online will receive an email 

about the decision. 

To find out more, visit: https:// 

www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ 

popular-now/apply-for-a-primaryschool-place 

There were 7,012 applications 

received this year, compared to 

7,169 in 2023, of which: 

• 94.8 per cent (6664) secured their 

first preference (94.2 per cent in 

2023) 


second preference (3.7 per cent in 

2023) 


third preference (1 per cent in 

2023) 

• 99% per cent (6,972) secured 

one of their top three preferences 

(98.9 automatically agreed at the 

next nearest school to their home 

address. They per cent in 2023) 

• 0.9 per cent (60) did not secure 

one of their preferences and were 

can appeal or contact the LA to 

discuss other school options (1 per 

cent in 2023) 

Vehicle and contents 

thefts are on the rise 

Crime prevention advice: 

1.Always lock it 

Ensure that you always secure your 

vehicle, even if you’re only going 

to be away from it for a moment. If 

your vehicle has wing mirrors that 

fold in automatically when locked, 

make sure you lock it properly. 

Criminal gangs are looking for 

vehicles like these where the wing 

mirrors are still out because it is 

clear to them that the vehicle has 

been left unlocked. 

2. Close windows and sunroofs 

to prevent “fishing” 

Leaving windows and the sunroof 

open invites fishing for items 

through the gap by hand or with, 

say, a bent coat hanger, which 

could also be used to unlock a 

door for them to get in. Thieves can 

be ingenious. Don’t give them the 

opportunity. 

3. Secure your number plates 

with tamper-resistant screws 

The easiest way to change the 

identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid 

speeding tickets and parking tickets 

is to fit stolen number plates. Using 

security screws to attach your 

vehicle’s number plates makes 

it harder for thieves to get your 

number plate. 

4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel 

nuts to secure alloy wheels 

Stolen wheels are valuable, either 

as parts or for their scrap value. 

Using locking wheel nuts reduces 

the risk of your vehicle’s wheels 

being stolen. 

5. Secure anything that’s on the 

outside of your vehicle 

Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate 

racks, holiday top boxes or in tool 

chests are easily stolen when the 

vehicle is parked. The use of cable 

locks, padlocks and self-locking 

tools chests, which are secured 

to the vehicle, makes them more 

secure, but still, don’t leave things 

in them if you can avoid it. 

6. Hide Electrical items and leave 

no clues 

Leaving Sat nav mounts, suction 

cup marks on windows or cables 

on view gives it away that you 

have left a Sat Nav, smart phone 

or other device in your car. Even if 

they can’t see the Sat Nav or iPad 

they might still break in to see if it is 

being stored in the car, out of sight. 

There have also been reports 

received across the beat area 

reporting residential burglaries 

and breaks to outbuildings in the 

Groby, Desford, Odstone & Market 

Bosworth areas. 

A helpful tip for further protecting 

your possessions: 

Make your valuables less attractive 

to thieves by using property or 

police approved forensic marking 

solution only visible under 

Ultraviolet (UV) light. This can 

take the form of a special marker 

using ink or paint. Mark or etch 

your property with your postcode, 

house or flat number or the first 

three letters of your address. All 

these measures help police identify 

stolen goods, making it harder for 

thieves to sell. So, make your mark. 

For information on police approved 

marking products, visit the Secured 

by Design website. 

https://www.securedbydesign.com/ 

And property marking isn’t only 

for things like electrical items and 

bikes, you can also mark high value 

belongings like antiques. However, 

we recommend that you seek 

specialist advice. 

Register your property for free on 

Immobilise – it helps the police 

identify the owners of recovered 

property. You can register anything 

that as a serial number with 

Immobilise. 

https://www.immobilise.com/ 

Finally, I would also like to thank 

you all for your continued support 

and remind you that should you 

need my help or advice, I always 

pride myself on making myself 

available to residents. Remember I 

am only a phone call or email away. 

Cllr. Ozzy O’shea 

Always Working for you Locally. 

Tel 0116 2394336 Mobile 

07808585825 

Email Ozzy.O’shea@leics.gov.uk 

Email ozzyoshea@hotmail.com 

I lent a friend of mine £10,000 for plastic surgery and now I don’t know what he looks like.


17 

Sciatica explained 

According to the NHS, around nine 

million adults in England live with back 

pain and, of these, it’s estimated that one 

in 20 people will be affected by sciatica 

at some point in their lives. 

While a sciatica flare-up usually gets 

better within four to six weeks – it can 

go as quickly as it arrived – it can 

sometimes last longer. So, what exactly 

is this problem, what causes it, what can 

you do to help relieve symptoms and can 

you reduce the chances of it returning? 

Diagnosis 

A burning, stinging, electric-like shock 

runs from your lower back all the way 

down your leg. This pain is undeniably 

sciatica, a term used to describe irritation, 

inflammation, or compression of the 

sciatic nerve. It is often confused with 

general back pain, but sciatica isn’t limited 

to the back area. 

Other symptoms can include numbness, 

weakness, and pins and needles in the 

feet, toes, or legs. Pain and discomfort 

can range from mild to severe, and 

symptoms are often aggravated by 

sneezing, coughing, or sitting for long 

periods. 

Why me? 

Sciatica can happen for no particular 

reason. It isn’t a condition in itself. Instead, 

it’s a symptom of various other conditions 

that can affect the sciatic nerve: 

• Age-related changes in the spine 

and natural age-related degeneration 

of bones, nerves and muscles can 

increase the risk of inflammation. 

• Sitting for long periods or having a 

sedentary lifestyle. 

• Being overweight places stress on the 

spine, which can lead to spinal. 

• A slipped disc. 

Treatments and self-help 

Your GP will likely suggest exercises and stretches for 

you to do at home. They may also suggest painkillers, 

like ibuprofen and aspirin. In some cases, your GP 

might also refer you for physiotherapy. This is free 

under the NHS, but you may well find there is a waiting 

list. However, if your symptoms don’t improve, are 

getting worse, or prevent you from doing everyday 

activities, ask for a further consultation. 

Staying active 

Gentle, low-forms of exercise, such as swimming 

and walking, are advised by the NHS. Exercises to 

increase core strength, improve hip and spine mobility 

or maintain flexibility in the lower body can help. Other 

movements, such as any that stretch the hamstrings, 

are best avoided. For further guidance, seek advice 

from your GP or check out the NHS online for 

information on exercises for sciatica at 

www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercises-sciatica-problems/ 

The sciatic nerve explained 

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve 

in the human body, running from the lower back, 

through the buttocks, down the leg, and ending just 

below the knee. It then branches into other nerves 

which continue down to the toes. It controls several 

muscles in the lower legs and is responsible for 

supplying sensations to the skin of the foot and most 

of the lower leg. 

PROFESSIONAL 

PAINTER & DECORATOR 

20 Years Experience 

All Work Guaranteed 

• All types of work undertaken 

• No job too big or small 

• Specialist in preparing all types 

of surfaces 

• Indoor and outdoor painting 

undertaken 

• Painting contracts undertaken 

FREE No-Obligation Quote & Advice 

Tel: 07377 505071 

Email: robertrowlett2020 

@outlook.com 

All COVID Guidelines Adhered To. 

Remember to send 

us your NEWS! 

Thanks. 

P 

P 

• A 

• N 

• S 

o 

• I 

u 

• P 

F 

E 

Al 

One Church meets 

in many sites 

around Leicester 

You are always 

welcome. 

ONECHURCH.ORG.UK 

I used to buy lottery tickets every week until I realized you could watch it on TV for nothing.

18 


George Orwell 

of Nineteen 

Eighty-Four 

IT WAS 75 years ago, on 

8th June 1949, that George 

Orwell’s novel Nineteen 

Eighty-Four was published. 

The book focuses on a society 

dominated by central government, 

whose citizens are kept in line 

by force and mind control, and 

by restricting access to the 

truth. Orwell invented terms like 

‘Big Brother’, ‘doublethink’ and 

‘thoughtcrime’, and when later 

societies seemed to veer in that 

direction they began to be termed 

‘Orwellian’. It is a word that has not 

fallen out of use in the 21st century. 

Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair: 

he was born in India, but his 

mother brought the family back to 

England not long after his birth. He 

lived in many and varied places, 

ranging from London and Paris to 

the Hebridean island of Jura, where 

towards the end of his life – he died 

of a burst artery in his lung at the 

age of 46 – he wrote much of 1984. 

But he loved Suffolk, where he lived 

at Southwold, and the pseudonym 

Orwell was inspired by a river in 

Suffolk. 

Orwell described himself as an 

atheist, a humanist and a social 

democrat, but he regularly attended 

Anglican churches – including Holy 

Communion; he involved himself in 

their activities and had two Anglican 

weddings, as well as requesting an 

Anglican funeral. 

For the lucid prose of his work as 

a whole, Orwell has received many 

accolades, and The Economist 

described him as “perhaps the 

20th century’s best chronicler of 

English culture”: he felt himself to 

be a defender of the working class 

and of such delights as fish and 

chips, football and strong tea. He 

was a journalist, a teacher and a 

policeman, among other things, but 

as a novelist he was supreme; other 

striking work includes Animal Farm 

and The Road to Wigan Pier. 

Groby House Burglaries 

Homes in Groby are again being 

targeted by burglars. A common 

form of access is from the rear of 

the property and can be in some 

cases from a different road to 

that which the property sits upon. 

Especially now when the weather 

hopefully improves be mindful 

of the fact that open doors and 

windows are a thefts paradise. 

New Telegraph Poles 

The first home telephone is 

believed to have been installed in 

1877. By 1971 this had reached 

50% of all households then going 

onto peak at 82% of all households 

by 1997 

When the home telephone 

revolution began telegraph 

poles were common sites as the 

telegraph (copper network) reached 

individual homes from the network 

that supported it. Telegraph 

poles became all but extinct as 

technology moved on and new 

developments had underground 

cables to resident’s homes. 

That copper underground network 

is now not fit for purpose as 

broadband requires much more 

reliability and better speeds in 

what is becoming an increasingly 

streaming age 

Much of Groby already has, but 

not all, fibre to the cabinet being 

the green boxes dotted about the 

place which improves reliability 

and speeds but from then on in to 

the home its by the old copper or 

coaxial cables carrying the voice 

and data. 

To get fibre to the premises, 

individual homes will require a 

new fibre cable directly in to those 

homes. 

As a result telegraph poles are 

very much on their way back and 

back for good. A number of new 

telegraph poles have already been 

installed such as those on Marina 

Drive and Johnathon Close as 

well as a number more planned for 

Ratby Road etc. 

I have been contacted by a number 

of residents in each of the locations 

concerned about what is happening 

and are they 5G masts? 

Cllr Martin Cartwright 

Borough Council News 

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council – Groby Ward. 

Executive member for: Licensing, Environmental, 

Climate Change & Rural Issues 

Call: 0116 287 4500 • Mobile: 07850 707050 

E-Mail: hbbc@appliancehome.co.uk 

Write : Maverick House,10 Pine Tree Avenue, Groby, LE6 0EQ 

These are not 5G masts but 

are an effective way, love them 

or hate them, to get a new 

telecommunications cable (fibre) 

to each home in the street from a 

single connection at the pavement 

rather than digging up the entire 

pavement length and then finding 

a way from the pavement to the 

home itself. 

Before a telegraph pole is installed 

a notification is placed nearby, this 

can be misleading in itself as the 

notice is often not in the actual 

location. The notice placed is titled 

PUBLICITY FOR PROPOSED 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS 

DEVELOPMENT and then goes 

onto give further details 

These new telegraph poles do not 

require planning permission and 

the Borough Council is powerless 

to stop them in anything other 

than a small number of extreme 

circumstances. 

On the plus side they will provide 

residents with much faster 

broadband for those streaming 

and remote working from home 

scenarios but they are equally 

attracting a lot of conversation, 

distain, especially where no poles 

previously existed because of the 

lack of information, they just get 

installed, you return home one day 

to find one outside your home. 

I have written this to give you 

Cllr Martin Cartwright @CllrCartwright cllr.martincartwright 

Other people don’t like my queue jumping. Especially when I use my motorcycle. 

an insight into what is going on 

and that they are not 5G masts. 

Some people will be happy about 

it especially those that can benefit 

from the improved technology but 

at the same time it is changing 

the street scene look as a result 

which others are far from happy 

about especially in those streets 

that have always had underground 

cables as a way of delivering 

the telecommunications to their 

properties. 

Garden Waste 

Reminder 

Green fingered residents who 

subscribe to the Hinckley & 

Bosworth Borough Council Green 

waste service are reminded that the 

current Garden waste subscriptions 

expire on 31st May. 

The new price for 2024 – 2025 

will be £42.50 around £1.70 per 

collection. Collected fortnightly 

except over the Christmas and New 

Year period. 

If you pay by direct debit then this 

will be taken automatically. 

If you do not have a direct debit set 

up or would like to subscribe to the 

service please do so by 17th May. 

Surrounding District Councils 

not only charge more but also 

have fewer collections for the 

I keep residents updated by my monthly Spotlight article, Fac 

Social Media accounts. 

subscription. 

No matter which method you choose to seek my help I will d 

QR Code 

• Mobile Telephone 

• Home Telephone 

• HBBC Private E-Mail 

• HBBC Council Provided E-mail 

• SMS Messaging 

• Whatsapp


19 

From Councillor Martin Cartwright 

The Secrets of Groby 

Pool Mud: An online 

public talk 

Charnwood Forest Geopark 

recently held an online public talk 

by Professors Helen Bennion and 

Carl Sayer of University College 

London. They introduced us to the 

wonderful world of palaeoecology, 

and the dynamic series of changes 

in the Groby Pool ecosystem their 

research has revealed from looking 

at the mud in Groby Pool. 

Groby Pool is a small (12 ha), 

shallow (

20 


GROBY SCOUT GROUP 

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 

Rebel Training Camp Located 

A FEW WEEKENDS ago over 60 young rebels were visited by Stormtroopers, 

Tie Fighter Pilots & Jawas during a training camp. The trainees had a chance 

to try shooting, make compressed air rockets & trebuchet catapults and try 

go-karting. By the 

of the weekend 

the rebels had 

enticed the visitors 

away from the 

‘Dark Side’! (Many 

thanks to the ‘UK 

Garrison’ Division 

of the 501st Legion 

for be being such 

amazing guests) 

Group Camp has 

been just one event 

in a busy few months. 

Our Beavers have been 

planting at Millenium 

Green, joined over 500 

other Leicestershire 

Beavers at Beaveree 

and enjoyed a day 

crammed full of 

activities & challenges. 

The Cubs joined 

hundreds of other 

Leicestershire Cubs on 

a trip to Black Country Museum and have celebrated both Chinese New 

Year & Pancake day 

Cubs and Scouts took part in the Annual County activity challenge hike, 

with varying success. The Scout program may include a little more map 

& navigational skills this term and all sections have made the most of the 

lighter evenings with local hikes. Explorers braved the wind, rain and hail 

to join Leicestershire Orienteering’s Urban Event in Groby, with a second 

place and two top 12 places for the Group. Our newest section, Network, 

for 18 to 25 year olds is now well established with the evenings spent 

backwood cooking, route planning, card games, large scale Monopoly, 

Origami and an incident hike on the program since the New Year. 

Unfortunately the weather did get the better of us this week, with Stand 

Up Paddle Boarding & Kayaking postponed due to River Soar flooding 

after all the recent rain. 

As the UK Scout Association restructures in line with Charity 

Commission recommendations, our Group Exec Committee will be 

moving to a Board of Trustees. If you are interested in offering your time 

and experience to our active Group, please email gsl@grobyscouts.org. 

uk 

Finally, after the success of last year, we are holding our Scout Gala 

again this year. Saturday June 15th, 12 noon - 5pm at the Scout HQ on 

Forest Rise. Come along for BBQ, Mar, Tombola, Raffle, Face Painting, 

Bouncy Castle, Stalls and Games. 

Julie’s Pet Care 

SERVICES 

Tel: 07934 686692 

Pet Minding 

Email: Julie.petcareservice@gmail.com 

juliedu.petcare@gmail.com 

From £5 

Dog Walking 

CRB Checked 

My wife just said she left me four weeks ago because of how unobservant I am.

22 


Website Worth A Visit 

They Work For You 

(https://www.theyworkforyou.com) 

THEYWORKFORYOU was founded twenty 

years ago to make Parliament more 

accessible and accountable. 

They believe that information about our elected 

representatives should be easily understandable and 

accessible to everyone, and not just insiders or those 

who can pay. 

They now work across the UK’s Parliaments to 

bring information together in one place, and make it 

accessible to both citizens and to civil society. 

Through TheyWorkForYou and WriteToThem, 

they want to make it easy to understand what the UK’s 

different layers of representation do, and make the 

actions of our representatives and governments more 

transparent. 

They do this by: 

• Making parliamentary debates searchable for all 

Parliaments. 

• Making it easy for people to write to their 

representatives at any layer of government. 

• Powering email alerts that let citizens and civil 

society stay informed about their representatives 

or areas of interest. 

• Adding new information and summaries that build 

on the information that Parliament releases (such 

as voting record summaries and more accessible 

registers of members interests). 

Ticks are most active between April and July 

and sometimes later in the autumn. People are 

advised to cover their arms and legs when in 

a grassy area, but clearly this advice doesn’t 

work for cats and dogs. Cats are less likely 

to catch ticks, but you should still undertake 

regular checks for both dogs and cats. 

Prevention 

Stop ticks from biting your pet by using a 

treatment that either kills or repels them if 

they attach themselves. Different types of 

treatments are available, so ask your vet 

for advice. It’s important to know that you 

should never use dog tick medicine on cats 

or vice versa. Some dog treatments contain 

chemicals that are toxic to cats and can 

even be fatal to them. 

Treatment 

It’s tempting to pull a tick off if you spot 

one. However, doing this could leave part 

of the creature under the animal’s skin. You 

can buy a tick remover set (different sizes) 

for under £5, and although you may never 

need to use one, having one to hand is 

worthwhile insurance. 

Lyme disease 

Not all tick bites will lead to Lyme disease, 

but if infected and left untreated, the 

symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, 

swollen joints and general lethargy. Early 

detection of Lyme disease is key. If you 

have any suspicions at all, it’s crucial to 

contact your vet for tests and treatment. 

Remember, prompt action can make a 

significant difference to your pet’s health. 

Would you like to edit the past 24 hours of your life? 

A NEW Sci-fi series available to rent or buy on 

Prime Video - ‘CHASER’ - explores the dark 

side of editing your past, raising questions 

about the ethics of time manipulation 

As described on US entertainment site meaww.com, this 

eight-episode sci-fi drama is more than just a show; it’s an 

experience. We meet Eddi Sebastian, a down-on-his-luck 

film editor who stumbles upon a life-altering program – the 

ability to edit the past 24 hours of his life. 

Eddi Sebastian is a loser with a dream. But as a secondrate 

film editor, he’s got no money, no girl, and no acclaim. 

The best part of his day is pining over actress Anabel 

Ruysch - the object of his obsession. 

His dream? A date. The problem? She doesn’t know he exists. That is, until he discovers the power to re-edit his 

life. 

Can Eddi step out from behind the screen and confront an imperfect world? Will he get the girl? Or will he realise 

that some things shouldn’t be undone …? 

CHURCH 

INFORMATION 

St Philip & St 

James, Groby 

Rector - Rev Ed Bampton 

0116 2396520 

Curate - Rev Riffat Zamurad 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES 

Tues 9pm: 

Compline (Facebook) 

Weds 9.30am: Communion 

Thurs 9am: Prayers via zoom 

Sunday worship: 

8am Communion, 

9.30am Morning 

worship, 

6pm Evensong. 

Telephone 

church service: 

0333 0164 757 

Room no. 10336316 Pin no. 1920 

facebook.com/StPandStJ 

achurchnearyou.com/church/5501 

United Reformed 

Church, Groby 

Minister – Rev Paul Ellis 

Tel: 0116 2926218 

Church Enquiries - Sue Lawrence 

Brooks Tel: 0116 231 2866 

susanbeverley46@yahoo.co.uk 

Sunday morning worship: 10am. 

Our worship includes monthly Holy 

Communion. 

The church 

building has a 

loop hearing 

system, 

wheelchair 

access & baby 

changing 

facilities. 

A catch up recording via our 

YouTube channel. 

If you have any spiritual support or 

prayer requests please text your 

name to 07807 036944 and we 

will call back. 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES 

Mon 9.30-11.30: 

Noah’s Ark, parent & toddler 

group, term time 

Churches Together 

in Groby 

JOINT WEEKLY 

ACTIVITIES 

St Philip & St 

James, Groby 

Thurs 10.30am- 

12 noon: 

Fair Cuppa @ Groby village Hall 

Fri 9.30 - 11 am: 

CatCH parent & toddler group @ 

URC, full 

Alternate Fridays 7.30pm: 

Urban Saints, Children in Years 

5 - 11 @ URC 

Sat 10.00am-12 noon: 

Tasters, Coffee, hot cobs and 

children’s activities @ URC 

I’ve been helping Cat Stevens fix his caravan. Awning has broken.


23 

Living Without Abuse Charity 

LWA Loughborough 

Colour Run is back on 

Sunday 23rd June 2024 

LWA’s Loughborough Colour Run is back for a sixth year 

and promises to be a fun, family-friendly event not to be 

missed! And registrations are now LIVE! 

The Colour Run returns to Charnwood College and will be a 5km route, 

marked out on the fields of the college grounds. Entrants can walk, jog 

or run individually, with friends, family or even their canine companions. 

Everyone will have the option to complete the course whilst battling 

inflatables and coloured powder paint along the way, all whilst raising funds 

for a great, local cause. 

Everyone will receive a finisher’s medal along with a goody bag at the 

finish line and there will be plenty of stalls and entertainment on the 

day, including a Zumba style warm-up from Leila McKenzie of ‘Dance 

yourself Fit’, inflatables along the route provided by ‘Bouncy Days’ 

of Coalville, delicious baked goods from ‘Annie’s Bakes & Cakes’, 

refreshments from ‘Really Awesome Coffee’ and so much more! 

Entry prices start from £10 and children under five years of age can enter 

for FREE. Fancy dress is permitted and encouraged, with prizes for the best 

dressed entrants and canine on the day. 

Register for the Loughborough Colour Run 2024 by visiting 

https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/LoughboroughColourRun2024 

All proceeds from the event will go towards the LWA Charity. 

Every year, LWA support thousands of adults and children who 

experiencing domestic abuse and/or sexual violence; they work with 

women, men, young people and children across Leicester, Leicestershire 

and Rutland. If you need support, you can contact LWA by calling 0808 80 

200 28. Monday to Saturday, 8am – 8pm. 

A 

concert with 

Octave 

Songs from Musicals, Film 

and well-known arias from Opera 

 

Saturday, 

1 st June 2024 

7.00pm 

at 

St. Peter’s Church 

Glenfield, LE3 8DP 

www.stpetersglenfield.org.uk 

Tickets £10 (incl. refreshments) 

(Aged 15 and under with an adult £3) 

from 

Doreen 0116 233 8604 

Tola 07392298544 

Did you know that Glenfield has a weekly 

Country Market? 

Enjoy this issue? 

Please pass it on to a friend or 

relative when you’ve finished 

with it. Thanks! 

A wide range of homemade cakes and preserves, quality 

crafts, plants and home-grown produce are on sale. 

Refreshments are served 

Free admission. 

Card payments now available 

Come along to see us and to support this local event. 

Where? St Peter’s Church Centre, LE3 8DP with parking! 

When? Each Friday morning 9am-11am 

For more details contact: glenfieldmarket@gmail.com 

Follow us on Facebook: The Glenfield Country Market 

My grandmother buried three husbands… and two of them were only napping.

What is Live-in Care? 

Live-in Care services is when a Care Professional resides in your home to provide care and assistance. 

One of the significant advantages of a live-in Care Professional is that it is a safe alternative to other 

types of care and offers peace of mind that someone is readily available should the need arise.Live-In 

Care works on a 10 hour average daily agreement with a 2 hour break - this can be covered by another 

Home Instead Care Professional if needed. 

Live-in Care is a safe and affordable alternative to a residential care home that gives you control over 

your care, bringing you consistent, one-to-one support in the comfort of your home. 

What is Home Care? 

Home care or domiciliary care is where a Care 

Professional will visit your home for a minimum of an 

hour a day, as little or as often as required. 

Home care is great option should your loved one need 

companionship (a chat over a coffee or a trip to go 

shopping), help with household chores or even 

personal Care. 

Is Live-inCare Safe? 

Live-in care is one of the safest options available. 

One to one Care from our Care Professional means 

that your Care is personalised to your needs and to 

suit your daily routine which would allow to live safe 

and well, enjoying a higher quality of life whilst being 

in the comfort of your own home. 

Live-in Care Vs. Home Care 

Living at home means staying in familiar 

surroundings and maintaining those daily 

routines that might not be possible in 

residential care. 

The best way to get a complete 

understanding is by speaking with a member 

of our team who will happily go through all 

of your concerns and requirements to help 

you decide on the best solution for your 

loved one. 

Please call us on 0116 319 2474 to discuss 

the options. 

Personal Care Home Help Companionship Dementia Care 

Live in Care 

Home Instead West Leicestershire 

& Market Bosworth 

0116 319 2474 

www.homeinstead.co.uk/west-leicestershire 

Each Home Instead® franchise office is independently owned and operated. Copyright © Home Instead 2021. 

#StayHomeInstead

MAY 2024 GROBY SPOTLIGHT online

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?