MAY 2024 HERALD online
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Mid-May <strong>2024</strong> issue • We hope you enjoy reading it!<br />
Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth<br />
Bagworth<br />
Community<br />
Centre News<br />
YOU <strong>MAY</strong> or may not be aware<br />
of an excellent facility that<br />
exists in Bagworth, namely the<br />
Community Centre.<br />
It is run by the Bagworth Community<br />
Centre Trust (BCCT) and is a great place<br />
to hold children’s parties, family get<br />
togethers, etc. It can be booked on the<br />
web page bagworthcommunitycentre@<br />
org This will give you access to information<br />
about the Centre and especially to the<br />
<strong>online</strong> diary which enables you to book<br />
rooms at the Centre.<br />
There are some new groups using the<br />
Centre including Yoga, Mini cycling and<br />
Dog training. The above page will give<br />
you information about all of the groups<br />
who use the Centre. If you require further<br />
information please email the very helpful<br />
Centre Administrator, Dominique on<br />
dominique@bagworthcommunitycentre.org<br />
or on 01530 230628.<br />
Another group who make good use of the<br />
Centre is Forever Savvy, an organisation<br />
which provides work experience for people<br />
with learning difficulties. In conjunction<br />
with BCCT, they run the café at the Centre.<br />
They are open from 10am to 2pm from<br />
Monday to Friday. They provide good<br />
quality food and drinks at very reasonable<br />
prices. It is well worth a visit.<br />
Gardens needed<br />
for Thornton<br />
Open Gardens<br />
ARE YOU proud of your Thornton<br />
garden or do you have some<br />
special feature? We still need<br />
a few gardens in order for this<br />
year’s event to go ahead.<br />
Open Gardens, organised by the Friends<br />
of St Peter’s, has become a successful<br />
biennial event and is due to be held on<br />
Sunday 7th July, with gardens open from<br />
1pm-6pm.<br />
If you are willing to open your garden on<br />
the above afternoon, please contact us as<br />
soon as possible, and by 25th May at the<br />
very latest.<br />
Phone Lis Muller on 01530 231502 or<br />
Sue Bakewell on 01530 231625 or e-mail<br />
thornton.opengardens@outlook.com<br />
Theatre group’s tribute to Muriel<br />
Walker raised over £1,000 for charity<br />
MARKFIELD AND THORNTON Theatre Group’s recent ‘Three for All’ production<br />
delighted audiences and raised over £1,000 for the Marie Curie charity.<br />
‘Three for All’, proved to<br />
be a resounding success,<br />
captivating audiences with<br />
a trio of comedies that<br />
left them in stitches. The<br />
performances, held at the<br />
Thornton Community Centre<br />
in April, showcased the talent<br />
and dedication of the group’s<br />
members while fostering a<br />
sense of community spirit<br />
among attendees.<br />
The shows were a display<br />
of theatrical talent but also<br />
a heartfelt tribute to the late<br />
Muriel Walker, a beloved<br />
member of the group. In her<br />
memory, the group dedicated<br />
the production to her whilst<br />
also fundraising for Marie<br />
Curie, a charity close to<br />
Muriel’s heart. The outpouring<br />
of support from attendees,<br />
volunteers, donors and local<br />
businesses was overwhelming,<br />
resulting in an amazing total of<br />
over £1,000 being raised for Marie Curie.<br />
The group is immensely grateful to everyone who supported the production and the generosity shown<br />
reflects the strong sense of community that exists locally. It’s heartening to see how the group’s collective<br />
efforts have made a meaningful impact to Marie Curie.<br />
A representative from Marie Curie reached out to say, “Thank you very much indeed for fundraising for<br />
Marie Curie in memory of member Muriel Walker. I hope that everyone enjoyed the performances and please<br />
pass on our sincere thanks to all those involved.”<br />
The funds raised will play a crucial role in supporting Marie Curie’s mission to provide care and support<br />
to terminally ill patients and their loved ones. Such generosity ensures that vital services continue to be<br />
available to those who need them most during challenging times.<br />
Looking ahead, the group is eager to build on the success of ‘Three for All’. However, to maintain a<br />
diverse repertoire of shows, the group needs new members to join their ranks. Whether interested in acting,<br />
directing, set design, lighting, publicity, there are opportunities for individuals of all talents to contribute.<br />
Please reach out to mttg.theatre@gmail.com<br />
A huge thank you to the engaging audiences that attended last month and MTTG looks forward to seeing<br />
you at their next production.<br />
St Mary & All Saints Church Summer Fayre<br />
DON’T MISS the St Mary & All Saints Summer Fayre on<br />
Saturday 29th June <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
It is being held in St Mary & All Saints Church, Main Street, Stanton Under<br />
Bardon between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.<br />
The usual stalls, Raffle, Tombola , Bric-a Brac, Books, Craft and Home made<br />
baking. Entrance free.<br />
Come & Join us for Social time over a cup of tea/coffee and chat.<br />
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 15TH JUNE - DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES & ADVERTS IS 1ST JUNE
www.oaktreelettings.co.uk | Call: 0116 287 0334<br />
Email: lettings@oaktreelettings.co.uk<br />
86 Faire Road, Glenfield, LE3 8ED<br />
LANDLORDS<br />
Demand for rental property has<br />
never been higher, whilst the risk<br />
to landlords is increasing in these<br />
uncertain times.<br />
We offer a comprehensive<br />
and experienced management<br />
service, with Rent & Legal<br />
protection available.<br />
With the majority of our clients<br />
being recommended to us,<br />
contact Marianne or Louise for<br />
details of our New Year Offers.<br />
Established 2011
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
3<br />
WE ASKED THE QUESTION<br />
COULD YOU HELP SAVE A LIFE?<br />
Cryptic Animal<br />
Clues From Sheila<br />
1. Potato fryer in monastery<br />
2. This court?<br />
3. Gobble your food down?<br />
4. Not cheap!<br />
5. Is he meeting Ratty & Toad?<br />
6. Neck above all animals<br />
7. Always naked<br />
8. Prickly sonic one<br />
9. Leicester’s rugby team<br />
favourite<br />
10. Three of these on England’s<br />
shirt<br />
11. My slippers?<br />
12. Didn’t he beat the hare?<br />
13. One of the 7 deadly sins<br />
14. Hiding some nuts?<br />
15. Scarf being squeezed?<br />
16. £1 1s 0d for this hog<br />
17. Stick for feline to climb<br />
18. Peter Seller’s was in the pink<br />
with this film<br />
19. Will toast give you the<br />
answer?<br />
20. Are there any near our local<br />
castle?<br />
Answers on page 22.<br />
BRILLIANTLY OVER 50 of you responded by<br />
coming to the Defibrillator and Resuscitation<br />
Evening on Thursday 25th April at the<br />
ME Sports in the Community Centre Markfield<br />
for another of Richard Nevin of RB First Aid’s<br />
absorbing information/training evenings<br />
The evening closed with a really happy surprise. A spontaneous<br />
round of applause greeted Markfield resident Gary Bustin after<br />
he told of his Cardiac Arrests just two months earlier in late<br />
February. After the first his life was saved by quick thinking<br />
volunteers with a Defibrillator and Resuscitation at a small<br />
airfield, the second was during his stay in hospital.<br />
Remarkably just two months on Gary is able to<br />
walk 200 yards or so twice a day. Gary is happy<br />
for his story to be told and also very generously<br />
for it to be used in the future to help promote<br />
the vital importance of the Defibrillators and<br />
Resuscitation both here in Markfield and across<br />
the country.<br />
On behalf of us all thank you Gary very much<br />
indeed.<br />
We hope to hold another Evening in the Autumn<br />
focussing on coping with the practicalities facing<br />
a helper from the start and the calm support from<br />
the Emergency Call Handlers, and with specific<br />
hands-on guidance on giving resuscitation until<br />
the professionals arrive.<br />
Thank you again to ME Sports in the Community for their<br />
really helpful backing of the event, including Laura who was<br />
on duty all evening and coped with the first rush for tea and<br />
coffee, and to all fellow PPG members whose help was vital<br />
at the start and under pressure at the end, also to Richard<br />
Nevin and Gary Bustin and all of you who came and made<br />
the evening such a success.<br />
During the Summer please keep a good look out for news of<br />
the PPG and its supportive involvement in the community.<br />
Robert<br />
Dolphins who die without any money are given a porpoise funeral.
4<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Herald Small Ads<br />
• Young girl’s BEDROOM<br />
FURNITURE SET. Excellent<br />
condition. Price: £140.<br />
Tel: 01530 243397<br />
(Markfield)<br />
• Flymo Ventura 320 ELECTRIC<br />
LAWNMOWER. Price: £15.<br />
Good runner. Complete with<br />
collection box and all leads.<br />
Tel: 07703 647636 (Groby)<br />
• Rollator WALKING AID. 3 wheel<br />
FOLDING WALKER as new with<br />
detachable bag. Price £35.<br />
• 2 wheeler ALUMINIUM<br />
WALKING FRAME as new, folds<br />
completely flat. Price £20.<br />
Can deliver locally.<br />
Tel. 01530 249152<br />
(Markfield).<br />
• FREE FOR COLLECTION - 7<br />
textured PAVING SLABS - 2ft x<br />
2ft in good condition.<br />
Tel: 07754 801217<br />
(Markfield)<br />
• Yamaha PSR E363 ELECTRIC<br />
ORGAN with music rest, stand<br />
and touch sensitive keys. Hardly<br />
used.Price: £80.<br />
Tel: 07592 459218<br />
(Thornton)<br />
• MOUNTAIN BIKE. Used just<br />
once from new due to medical<br />
condition. Maxima Special Edition<br />
Storm. 24” wheels, suitable for<br />
teenage upwards. VGC. 15 gears.<br />
Price: £75.<br />
• Bontempi DIGITAL DRUM<br />
KIT. 4 programmable pads and<br />
many different sounds/ styles.<br />
Boxed with instructions. VGC.<br />
Price: £40.<br />
• Retro CD PLAYER/ RADIO.<br />
Worldwide Links. Designed as<br />
an old style radio in wooden<br />
teak finish. Lovely piece in good<br />
working order. Price: £45.<br />
• Russell Hobbs COFFEE<br />
MAKING MACHINE (beans).<br />
Stainless Steel. Good Condition.<br />
Price: £10.<br />
• Electric PLUNGE ROUTER<br />
MACHINE for woodworking<br />
corners and grooves. Power<br />
Craft 1050 watt motor, Parallel<br />
& Template Guide complete with<br />
Router Bit set and user guide.<br />
Boxed. Price: £25.<br />
• Exercise AIRWALKER/<br />
CROSS TRAINER. Christopeit<br />
Sport. Works Arms & Legs. Price:<br />
£10<br />
• Exercise SIT UP CHAIR/<br />
MACHINE. AB Lounge Ultra<br />
Sport folds for easy storage.<br />
Take the stress off the rest of<br />
your body whilst focusing on the<br />
stomach and side muscles. Price:<br />
£5.<br />
• BINOCULARS. Chinon<br />
Countryman 10 x 50 with carry<br />
box. Price: £15<br />
Tel: 0116 287 0375 (LE6<br />
0BN)<br />
• Four white outside<br />
STACKABLE CHAIRS - plastic,<br />
in very nice condition, with black<br />
good quality cover. Price: £20.<br />
• SUN LOUNGER - metal fram<br />
with adjustable back rest. As<br />
new. Completely foldable for<br />
storage.Price: £20.<br />
Tel: 0116 260 1865 (Groby)<br />
• SEASALT DRESS - Size 12,<br />
never worn, still with price tag<br />
attached. Described on label<br />
as St. Enodoc dress in Narrows<br />
Dahlia Flint. Price tag says<br />
£49.95. Price £20.00.<br />
Tel: 07966 253612.<br />
(Markfield)<br />
• RAISED BED KIT, galvanised<br />
metal 1metre sq. by 30cm high.<br />
Brand new, extra to requirement<br />
Price: £20.<br />
• Karcher 411A PRESSURE<br />
WASHER. Price: £30.<br />
Tel. 01530 242793<br />
(Markfield)<br />
• PRINTER - HP ENVY 5544<br />
- Printer, Scanner, Copier, Web<br />
Photo. Fully Working with leads<br />
and instructions included. Price:<br />
£50.<br />
• ROBERTS RADIO - FM &<br />
DAB. Mains & Battery. Price £10.<br />
Tel: 01530 245944<br />
(Markfield)<br />
• Apachie GT08 SMART<br />
WATCH. Price: £10<br />
• Apachie FITNESS TRACKER<br />
WATCH. Price: £10<br />
• Portable AIR CONDITIONER<br />
DEHUMIDIFIER AIR COOLER<br />
With Sealing Kit 7000btu/hr.<br />
Price: £200<br />
• Draper Self-Propelled PETROL<br />
LAWN MOWER with Mulching,<br />
510mm, 173cc/4.4HP. Price:<br />
£200<br />
All new in box<br />
Tel: 07792 926452<br />
(Markfield)<br />
SEND DETAILS by post or email<br />
- sorry, we can’t take them over<br />
the phone. Maximum EIGHT items<br />
please. No business ads. Our postal<br />
address is: Herald Small Ads, PO<br />
Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT<br />
or you can email details to: info@<br />
markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE<br />
ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL<br />
ADS’ in the subject line<br />
and INCLUDE YOUR FULL<br />
POSTAL ADDRESS<br />
(not for publication, just to let people<br />
know where you are).<br />
Swinfen Vale development<br />
New academy sponsor names<br />
forest school Greenstone Primary<br />
A NEW FOREST school in North West Leicestershire has<br />
been given a name to reflect the landscape and mining<br />
heritage of the area.<br />
Greenstone Primary will be run by the newly-appointed Lionheart<br />
Educational Trust and will offer education based on a Scandinavian idea<br />
which promotes learning through contact with nature.<br />
Based in Ellistown and built by Stepnell on behalf of the Harworth Group<br />
as part of its Swinfen Vale development, the primary school will be able to<br />
cater for up to 420-pupils.<br />
The name was chosen by the trust after the layer of granite, known locally<br />
as green stone (whinstone), in the area. Coal lay under it, which sometimes<br />
made mining a challenge.<br />
The school is set to open in autumn 2025 – applications for all first-time<br />
primary school applications for autumn 2025/26 will open in September.<br />
I took a poll recently and 100% of people were quite annoyed that their tent had fallen down.
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT COMING UP AT<br />
GROBY CLUB<br />
Saturday 18th May<br />
CJ JACKSON<br />
Formerly of The Drifters<br />
Saturday 25th May<br />
CHRIS ROBIN<br />
Excellent Vocalist<br />
Friday 31st May<br />
BEATLES TRIBUTE<br />
Tickets: £10.00<br />
Saturday 1st June<br />
BASH<br />
Quality Four-Piece Band<br />
Saturday 8th June<br />
FUN DAY/OPEN DAY<br />
12 noon till 5pm<br />
Plus ... KIM B<br />
Very Good Female Vocalist<br />
In The Evening<br />
Saturday 15th June<br />
BROTHERS IN SOUL<br />
Very Good Duo<br />
Friday 21st June<br />
DEM BOYZ<br />
Caribbean Party Band<br />
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE<br />
www.ticketsource.co.uk<br />
Saturday 22nd June<br />
SUSAN LOUISA<br />
Great Female Entertainer<br />
Don’t Miss The<br />
Fun Day<br />
Saturday 8th June<br />
BOUNCY CASTLE<br />
KIDDIES RIDE DISCO<br />
PLUS OTHER ENTERTAINMENT!<br />
12 noon till 5pm<br />
Come and have some fun!<br />
16-18 Leicester Rd, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ Phone: 0116 287 1809
6<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Markfield’s Water Famine<br />
“People were having to go about begging for water”<br />
THE OLD NEWSPAPERS inform us that the current day<br />
Markfield residents are lucky that we did not have to<br />
suffer the ‘Adam’s Ale’ situation of the 1920s.<br />
The following words are gathered from the local newspapers, I suspect<br />
Parish Records and other historical records may perhaps tell another story.<br />
For example, in November 1920, the Parish chairman declared that “it was<br />
a sad thing to be without water, but they could not do impossibilities”:..<br />
“The Pump”, there only seems to have been one, was recorded to be on<br />
the Village Green. A fairly good number of the residents, had to rely on this<br />
village pump for their drinking water. There are constant records of :-<br />
“Markfield’s Water Famine – Queues waiting for water and such like,<br />
which have brought this Leicestershire village into a not altogether enviable<br />
prominence”.<br />
“It was a case of racing for water, at times up to three-quarters of a mile to<br />
fill a kettle.”<br />
In an inclusion in the Newark Herald, Markfield is recorded as being<br />
beautifully situated and delightfully picturesque on a Summer’s day, but it<br />
noted that land, housing and water were three great needs and no drinking<br />
water for neatly 20 hours out of 24 was though quite a serious state of<br />
affairs.<br />
Nightly parade to fetch water from Hill Hole<br />
During the water shortages several villagers were fortunate to have their<br />
own wells and such a good spirit prevailed, that those who had water were<br />
invariably prepared within reason, to help their less fortunate neighbours.<br />
In March 1930, the precious village pump was actually out of order for 3<br />
months and there was nightly parade to Hill Hole to obtain water. The mind<br />
boggles. Thank goodness that the many discarded vehicles, now present,<br />
had yet to arrive.<br />
The pump had previously been kept in repair from money received by the<br />
letting of the village green to show people for the annual wakes, but since<br />
the show had been removed to a private ground, there had been no income<br />
for the pump fund.<br />
Having a tap for water was therefore for most an unusual situation.<br />
The water supply was apparently as common to other villages and was<br />
obtained from private wells for the most part, but as Markfield stood in a<br />
very elevated position and in a neighbourhood in which a great deal of<br />
rock abounded, some of the wells were not that successful. The deepening<br />
of some wells was attempted too. In July 1921 when an inspector arrived<br />
in the village, he discovered that the village pump was securely fastened<br />
with a padlock and chain. The well was though found to be 100 feet deep<br />
and contained an excellent supply of water. The pump at that time was<br />
locked up every day until about 4.00 o’clock in the afternoon and was left<br />
unchained until about 9.00 pm in the evening. On Sundays the opening<br />
hours were from 8 to 10 to facilitate with the preparation of Sunday dinner.<br />
It was that desperate. At this time the newspapers reported that 200 people<br />
were dependent on a well for water, assumedly the one on the Green. It<br />
seems people would rather visit a pump, however distant it was, than pay<br />
extra rates for water. Times were hard.<br />
Contractors bored 300 feet through rock<br />
Attempts were continually made to locate water. In 1924 a Mr Kirk<br />
advertised himself as a water diviner “If you want water I can find it”. A<br />
well sinker in 1934 seems to have had a more unusual approach in the<br />
search for water as he with two other quarrymen were in court for stealing<br />
explosives from the quarry. Also, in May of 1934 some contractors boring<br />
300 feet through rock had located a good supply of water which was neither<br />
If you rub a dock leaf on Sting he will disappear.<br />
too hard or soft. They also discovered three sources of water in a field.<br />
They had used patent water & oil detecting apparatus. It probably wasn’t<br />
Mrs Lillingston’s land where they were searching for water, but she kindly<br />
as ever, let the residents of the Council Houses at the top of Ashby Road<br />
get their water from a spring on her land at Ulverscroft, which was two fields<br />
away from them. It was, though, a steep walk all the way back home.<br />
Records appear to be confusing as in 1928 a £2,000 scheme was to<br />
be proceeded with after a unanimous decision to accept it. Confusing<br />
newspaper inclusions appear to suggest that the siting of the new<br />
Sanitorium in the village may have saved the day, much earlier than would<br />
otherwise have been expected. For in May 1930:- “Leicester Corporation<br />
was taking water to Markfield in connection with the new hospital<br />
being erected there. …It would be a distinct advantage if the Leicester<br />
Corporation could take the supply to the village, as the Markfield people<br />
were in a serious position.”<br />
Only 50% of well water samples were good<br />
In May 1928 Markfield was not only having to cope with an ongoing<br />
water shortage, it also had to face the threat of an epidemic of diphtheria.<br />
In March 1928 the school was reported to be filthy, badly heated and<br />
ventilated and that children were kept all day in “a wretched place”. Again,<br />
no proper water supply was noted with men recorded as carrying water<br />
from the village pump. The quality of the village water was of course of<br />
prime importance too. In 1934 eleven samples of Markfield well water were<br />
tested of which - 5 were good, two suspicious and four bad.<br />
Water shortages must of course have been assisted by extremely<br />
inclement weather. In August 1934 for example a terrific rainstorm arrived<br />
in the village. It was so fierce that screen wipers were rendered useless,<br />
driving wind penetrated cars, one car had its windscreen cracked, sewers<br />
were clogged with water and manhole covers were blown off with water<br />
being shot up in the air forming huge fountains on the main road.<br />
Water was not just needed for drinking. In January 1931 a bus caught fire<br />
on Nanpanton Hill on route to Markfield. Passengers were forced to leave<br />
their shopping and scramble out of the rear door. The firemen were unable<br />
to subdue flames due to lack of water and the chemical fire extinguishers<br />
had absolutely no effect. Balloon tyres burst and the bus was reduced to a<br />
mass of cylinders. Blazing petrol lit up the countryside.<br />
In 1934 A farmer was in trouble for adulterating his milk with water.<br />
Formerly, in May 1930 the men of the village, defined then mostly as<br />
miners, had a much better idea of dealing with water shortages. If they<br />
couldn’t get water they would drink beer instead as it was easier to obtain.<br />
So when you go to a sink or switch on the dish washer or washing<br />
machine, try to forget the financial cost and realise how fortunate you are.<br />
And every time you pass the lower Green in Markfield, think of the well<br />
that was once the source of life for so many villagers.<br />
Di Lockley<br />
“It would be a distinct advantage<br />
if the Leicester Corporation could<br />
take the supply to the village, as<br />
the Markfield people were in a<br />
serious position.” (Report in May 1930.)<br />
Contacting an old friend can be nerve-wracking<br />
HAVE YOU been wondering<br />
about an old friend with<br />
whom you have lost<br />
contact? Do you feel a bit<br />
hesitant about contacting<br />
them again?<br />
You are not alone. It seems that<br />
rekindling an old friendship can be<br />
as nerve-wracking as speaking to a<br />
stranger, according to the findings<br />
of a recent study by the University<br />
of Sussex.<br />
The study found that although nine<br />
in ten of us have lost touch with an<br />
old friend, and although we would<br />
greatly welcome a message from<br />
them, we personally feel nervous<br />
about making the first move.<br />
The most common reasons are<br />
fear that the old friend might not<br />
want to hear from us, that it would<br />
be ‘too awkward after all this time’,<br />
and that we feel guilty that we had<br />
not been in touch before.<br />
But Dr Gillian Sandstrom, a<br />
psychologist and Director of the<br />
Sussex Centre for Research on<br />
Kindness, said that the people who<br />
pushed past their hesitation and did<br />
reach out to an old friend reported<br />
feeling happier.<br />
She said that past research<br />
suggests that old friends appreciate<br />
you reaching out, even more than<br />
you expect.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
7<br />
Mercenfeld children sing to<br />
the Methodist Music Café<br />
We can help you live the life<br />
you want to live<br />
We’re Furnley House, a Certified B Corporation and multiaward<br />
winning Independent Financial Planner and Mortgage<br />
Broker.<br />
A GROUP of 20 Year 6 pupils at Mercenfeld Primary<br />
performed to a packed audience at the music café at the<br />
Methodist Church.<br />
The children had been part of a larger group who had taken performed in<br />
a massed choir event, called Young Voices, at The Resort World Area at<br />
Birmingham, back in January.<br />
At this event a wide range of songs are learnt and preformed - ranging<br />
from pieces from musicals through to modern day chart toppers! At the<br />
Methodist Church the children performed a selection of these songs which<br />
ended up with the audience joining in with classics such as ‘Don’t Dilly on<br />
the Way’ and ‘Walking on Sunshine.’<br />
It was wonderful to perform to such an appreciative audience and the<br />
children were so excited and proud to have been given the opportunity to<br />
share their songs.<br />
Kirstie Randle Head at Mercenfeld School<br />
Magdalena<br />
Independent Financial Adviser<br />
Leicestershire<br />
Contact Magdalena to arrange your FREE initial appointment:<br />
07872908404<br />
Magdalena.mclaughlin@furnleyhouse.co.uk<br />
Pensions<br />
Investments<br />
Inheritance tax planning<br />
Later Life Planning<br />
Scan to find out more<br />
Old Thatched Inn<br />
Whats Happening at the<br />
Stanton Under Bardon Markfield<br />
Free Pool Table<br />
Poker Night<br />
45% off Ale all Day<br />
Excludes Bank Holidays<br />
Mondays<br />
OFF 30%<br />
of all weekday menu food in June with this Voucher<br />
Please Contact the Old Thatched Inn for terms and conditions<br />
Sunday Quiz Night &<br />
Stanton Under Bardon<br />
60s<br />
70s<br />
Old Thatch in June<br />
Live Music With<br />
The Old Thatched Rockers Band<br />
60s<br />
70s<br />
Tuesdays<br />
70s<br />
80s<br />
Saturdays<br />
Live Music Entertainment<br />
Fun<br />
80s<br />
60s<br />
70s<br />
Dance<br />
BOOK NOW 01530 243976<br />
Function Room Available for Hire. Darts, Pool Table & Large Gardens to Enjoy<br />
Carvery starts at 12.pm please Book Early to Avoid disappointment. Entertainment starts at 7.30.pm and can be amended or cancelled at any time.<br />
I accidentally used a volume-maximising shampoo, and now my hair’s too noisy.
8<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Letter<br />
The Distinguished<br />
Gentlemen’s Ride<br />
I WANTED through the Herald to raise awareness of the<br />
Distinguished Gentlemans Ride (DGR) that has been held<br />
worldwide each year since 2012.<br />
The DGR brings riders of vintage and classic styled motorcycles together<br />
to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer research and men’s<br />
mental health.<br />
I myself was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in early 2020 and<br />
have ridden on the Leicester DGR ride in 2022 and 2023 raising over<br />
£7000 ! I have also raised over £2500 for Prostate Cancer Uk by selling<br />
my photography artwork printed on canvas at cost plus a donation.<br />
If you would like to see my work and have access to Facebook my page<br />
is Michaelissittphotography.<br />
Since my diagnosis, I have worked hard to raise funds and awareness for<br />
Prostate Cancer charities and participation in the DGR has been an annual<br />
opportunity to focus those efforts.<br />
This years ride will take place on Sunday May 19th in 108 countries. In<br />
the UK alone, the ride will take place in 60 Cities !<br />
The title DGR hints at the attire of those participating. The more ‘Dapper’<br />
the better and facial hair is encouraged.<br />
This pic of my<br />
elder Brother Andy<br />
(he’s the one on the<br />
left) and myself on<br />
the ride in 2023 - it<br />
is Andy’s Triumph<br />
Bonneville that I am<br />
riding- he lent it to me<br />
after I sold my bikes<br />
following a prognosis<br />
of 3-6 months part<br />
way through my<br />
illness!<br />
Sadly after lots of<br />
Chemo I am unable<br />
to grow my own<br />
moustache so this<br />
impressive lip warmer<br />
is a theatrical supply<br />
item.<br />
Participation and fund raising<br />
badges worn with pride<br />
It would be wonderful if<br />
through the Herald we could<br />
find more participants for<br />
the Leicester ride who have<br />
classic / vintage bikes and<br />
get them to register <strong>online</strong> at<br />
https://www.gentlemansride.<br />
com/<br />
My disease has been<br />
problematic of late and during<br />
March I spent two days in ITU<br />
but … DGR is my motivation<br />
and I am fighting back to<br />
enough fitness to participate.<br />
If anyone who can’t<br />
participate, wants to sponsor<br />
me for the ride they can do so<br />
on the following link: https://<br />
www.gentlemansride.com/<br />
fundraiser/MikeIssitt<br />
My family and I have lived in Markfield for 27 years and always enjoy<br />
reading about our local news and events in the Herald.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Mike Issitt<br />
MARKFIELD METHODIST CHURCH presents<br />
The “LE8FIVE BRASS QUINTET”<br />
in concert on Saturday, 28th June at 7.00 p.m.<br />
THE LE8FIVE BRASS QUINTET is based in Countesthorpe<br />
- hence the name - and was formed in May 2018, bringing<br />
together FIVE local musicians who had all met through the<br />
local Brass Band Association and had a mutual desire to<br />
explore more musical diversity.<br />
The quintet offers a wide range of music styles and at this concert they<br />
will be performing music from stage and screen. It promises to be a most<br />
enjoyable evening’s entertainment. You can learn more about the musicians<br />
on their website and listen to a selection of their music - le8fivebrassquintet.<br />
co.uk.<br />
Tickets are priced £12, including refreshments, and are available from<br />
Linda & Bill on 01530 242607 or Ann & Ian on 01530 242166.<br />
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• UPVC Fascia, Soffits & Gutters<br />
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Proprietor: Elias Bell<br />
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Mobile: 07494820600 - Freephone: 0800 292 7391<br />
I applied for a job. They said send in your CV, and I loved that car.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
9<br />
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A lamppost near me has gone missing so I’ve sellotaped posters to all the local cats.
10<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Making Space for<br />
Nature deadline<br />
approaches<br />
PEOPLE ARE being<br />
urged to have their say<br />
on how best to protect<br />
and improve nature as<br />
the deadline for two<br />
surveys approaches.<br />
The ambitious new Local<br />
Nature Recovery Strategy<br />
is being developed for<br />
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland to protect nature and allow it to<br />
recover by preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity.<br />
Two Making Space for Nature surveys for the public and organisations<br />
were launched to capture a wide range of views, ideas and suggestions on<br />
how nature can be improved and helped to recover across the area.<br />
Details about action already being taken to help nature and ideas for the<br />
future can now also be pinned onto an interactive map.<br />
So far, the surveys have received more than 750 responses – but time is<br />
running out for people to have their say, as the surveys close on Sunday<br />
26 May.<br />
Responses are welcome from everyone, but survey organisers would<br />
particularly like to hear from under 18s and their parents, people aged<br />
between 18 and 34, people of non-white heritage, and residents of<br />
Leicester city, Oadby & Wigston, North West Leicestershire, and Hinckley<br />
& Bosworth.<br />
Open Farm Sunday – 9th June<br />
HUNDREDS OF farms across the UK are preparing to<br />
open their gates to the public.<br />
Open Farm Sunday is back for its 18th year and offers the public a<br />
chance to see how farmers can produce food sustainably, while also<br />
caring for the environment and wildlife.<br />
It is organised by the global sustainable farming charity LEAF (Linking<br />
Environment And Farming). The event has been praised as being a<br />
“great family day out”.<br />
Some farms opening on Open Farm Sunday are also LEAF Marque<br />
certified. This means that they are farming regeneratively, nurturing<br />
healthy soil, protecting water, supporting nature conservation and<br />
enhancing wildlife habitats.<br />
On those farms, people can find out more about the LEAF Marque,<br />
which they may have already seen on fruit, vegetables and other<br />
products in the supermarkets. More details at: www.farmsunday.org<br />
Could YOU help our oldest local<br />
charity as a volunteer trustee?<br />
The Luke Jackson<br />
charity<br />
In a nutshell, the Luke Jackson<br />
charity was established after<br />
the death of Luke Jackson in<br />
1631. In his Will, he left land, and<br />
instructions that the rental income<br />
from the fields should be spent<br />
to help the poor and needy of the<br />
parishes of Bagworth, Thornton<br />
and Stanton-under-Bardon. Over<br />
the past (almost) 400 years the<br />
charity has continued to operate<br />
without interruption and it is still<br />
administered by a local committee<br />
of volunteers, representing each of<br />
the villages.<br />
Assets<br />
The charity’s main asset is the land<br />
it owns, near to Stanton village. It<br />
is approximately 24 acres of arable<br />
land. The trust pays a land agent<br />
to manage the land and also has<br />
some small investment funds which<br />
generate modest dividends each<br />
year.<br />
Trustees<br />
There are six trustees who make<br />
all the long term and day-to-day<br />
decisions about the running of<br />
the charity; two from each of<br />
the villages, plus a clerk who<br />
provides secretarial services. The<br />
trust meets approx. 3-4 times a<br />
year at which regular business is<br />
discussed. Once a year, the trust<br />
makes a payout to pensioners,<br />
usually at Christmas time, with<br />
occasional small payments to<br />
people who make a specific<br />
request – such as towards a respite<br />
break or treatment costs.<br />
The charity is registered with the<br />
Charity Commission and adheres<br />
to its recommended practices.<br />
It is in the process of setting up<br />
new policies and cataloguing<br />
procedures to ensure the trust<br />
operates transparently.<br />
We are looking for two new<br />
volunteers to join us!<br />
Currently we have two vacancies:<br />
we are looking for a volunteer<br />
from Bagworth and a second from<br />
Stanton under Bardon to join us.<br />
You must be resident in the village<br />
to become a trustee but there are<br />
no other formal requirements.<br />
What we offer you…<br />
• Working with a friendly group of<br />
volunteers, to help people in need<br />
in our local community.<br />
• No fund-raising! Just decisions<br />
about how the income is accrued<br />
and spent.<br />
• A clerk to support meetings and<br />
provide paperwork.<br />
• An open and transparent<br />
approach where you can participate<br />
equally with the other trustees and<br />
all views are considered.<br />
What we ask of<br />
trustees?<br />
• Interest, commitment, willingness<br />
to be involved and take on tasks as<br />
necessary.<br />
• Prepare for meetings by reading<br />
papers in advance and ensuring<br />
any action points you offered to<br />
complete are in progress.<br />
• Attend a ‘payout’ morning once<br />
a year to pay pensioners their<br />
(currently) £5 award.<br />
• Maintain confidentiality and act<br />
in the best interests of the charity<br />
and its potential beneficiaries at all<br />
times.<br />
This is a very small charity<br />
but it is important to trustees<br />
to operate it effectively and<br />
efficiently. If you think you<br />
would be interested to join the<br />
‘team’, please email the clerk<br />
sandra@unitysoftware.co.uk,<br />
(including a phone number if<br />
possible) who will put you in<br />
touch with your local trustee<br />
to chat more about what’s<br />
involved.<br />
~ ADVERTISING RATES IN THE <strong>HERALD</strong> ~<br />
Call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 to book or email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Advert Size (Portion of the A4 page) Advert Dimensions in Millimetres Width x Height Price per Insertion (EACH MONTH)<br />
Sixteenth of a Page 45mm wide x 65mm high £20.00 plus VAT<br />
Twelfth of a Page 95mm wide x 41mm high £28.00 plus VAT<br />
Eighth of a Page 95mm wide x 65mm high £40.00 plus VAT<br />
Sixth of a Page 95mm wide by 87mm high £50.00 plus VAT<br />
Quarter of a Page 95mm wide x 130mm high £65.00 plus VAT<br />
Half of a Page 194mm wide x 130mm high £120.00 plus VAT<br />
Full Page (A4) 194m wide x 268mm high £190.00 plus VAT<br />
Double Page Spread (A3) 404mm wide x 268mm high £249.00 plus VAT<br />
A potato wrapped in foil makes an ideal Easter egg for a vegan child.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
11<br />
THORNTON GARAGE<br />
Car Repairs • Servicing • MOT Testing • Tyres • Exhaust • Batteries • Timing Belts<br />
Kirby Muxloe Podiatry 2023 Ltd<br />
l<br />
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l<br />
Practice established over 25 years<br />
Treatments include the use of Local Anaesthetic<br />
for ingrowing toenails.<br />
Diabetic Foot Health Assessment and Advice<br />
2B Main Street, Kirby Muxloe LE9 2AL<br />
Tel: 0116 239<strong>2024</strong><br />
Email: kirbymuxloepodiatry2023@gmail.com<br />
SMARTLINE PRIVATE<br />
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12<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Across<br />
3. Magnifier of distant objects (9)<br />
8. Iranian monetary unit (4)<br />
9. Something that stands in the way (8)<br />
10. Appreciated (6)<br />
13. Lady and the ___, Disney movie (5)<br />
14. Educational institution (7)<br />
15. Device for creating a current of air (3)<br />
16. Green transparent form of beryl (7)<br />
17. Software program capable of causing great harm to a<br />
computer (5)<br />
21. Materialise (6)<br />
22. Conjuring trick (8)<br />
23. Catherine ___ Jones, actress (4)<br />
24. Chemist or physicist, for example (9)<br />
Down<br />
1. Pirate ship (9)<br />
2. Decoration hung in a home (9)<br />
4. Wear away by natural forces (5)<br />
5. Fifth letter of the Greek alphabet (7)<br />
6. Decapod crustacean (4)<br />
7. Hockey-like game, played on horseback (4)<br />
11. Dog that can be trained to fetch game (9)<br />
12. Fast narrow current in the atmosphere or ocean (3,6)<br />
14. Morally reprehensible person (3)<br />
15. Seller of plants and flowers (7)<br />
18. Country roads (5)<br />
19. ___ Guinness, actor who played Ben ‘Obi-wan’ Kenobi in<br />
the Star Wars movies (4)<br />
20. Three-dimensional shape (4)<br />
Answers on page 22.<br />
Restore TV To Provide Free<br />
Support in Markfield if TV<br />
Interference Occurs<br />
MOBILE NETWORK services are<br />
being upgraded in Markfield -<br />
boosting speed, performance<br />
and coverage. There is a small<br />
chance these improvements<br />
may cause interference to TV<br />
received through an aerial such as Freeview, BT, TalkTalk and YouView.<br />
These improvements will be implemented in Markfield, and symptoms could include intermittent<br />
sound, blocky images (pixelation) or loss of TV signal.<br />
For residents who are affected by the upgrades, free support is available from Restore TV.<br />
Restore TV is an independent programme created by Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL), an<br />
organisation owned by the UK’s four mobile network operators: EE, Virgin Media O2, Three and<br />
Vodafone.<br />
Restore TV’s role is to ensure people can continue to enjoy free to view TV if mobile service<br />
upgrades cause TV interference. Restore TV reports to the Coexistence Technical Working Group,<br />
chaired by Ofcom, which monitors and advises on the programme to ensure free to view TV viewers’<br />
interest are properly served.<br />
The programme offers additional support for people who are 75 years of age or older, are<br />
registered blind or partially sighted or receive any of the following benefits: personal independence<br />
payments (PIPs); attendance allowance; constant attendance allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility<br />
Support.<br />
Ben Roome, CEO of Restore TV, said: “We know just how important TV is to inform, entertain and<br />
provide welcome company. Restore TV exists to ensure we all can continue to access free to view<br />
TV as mobile services are improved across the country.”<br />
“If you see new TV interference, we’re on hand to help you resolve the issue. We can send a<br />
Restore TV filter, free of charge, for you to fit between your aerial lead and TV or set-top box to<br />
remove mobile signals and allow you to watch free to view TV as normal. Full instructions are<br />
included, and we can provide further advice <strong>online</strong> and by phone if needed.<br />
“In most instances, fitting the filter will resolve any issues, but if this isn’t the case, we may also be<br />
able to arrange a follow-up visit from a Restore TV engineer at no cost, depending on eligibility.”<br />
Cable and satellite TV, such as Sky or Virgin, are not affected. However, viewers with these<br />
services, who also watch free to view TV through an aerial, can receive a free Restore TV filter.<br />
Residents are more likely to be affected if they live in an area with weak digital television reception,<br />
have a TV signal booster and whose TV aerial is close to a mobile mast.<br />
For residents in flats or communal buildings, Restore TV provides landlords or property managers<br />
with support to resolve the problem.<br />
Any viewers who experience new interference to free to view TV should contact Restore TV on:<br />
0808 13 13 800 (free from landlines and mobiles).<br />
For more information, please visit https://restoretv.uk/<br />
Wise<br />
Words<br />
Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery<br />
you miss by going too fast—you also miss the sense<br />
of where you are going and why.<br />
Eddie Cantor<br />
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Dieting is hard, but I heard black clothes can be very slimming, so now every day I eat two shirts.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
13<br />
George Orwell<br />
of Nineteen<br />
Eighty-Four<br />
IT WAS 75 years ago, on<br />
8th June 1949, that George<br />
Orwell’s novel Nineteen<br />
Eighty-Four was published.<br />
The book focuses on a society<br />
dominated by central government,<br />
whose citizens are kept in line<br />
by force and mind control, and<br />
by restricting access to the<br />
truth. Orwell invented terms like<br />
‘Big Brother’, ‘doublethink’ and<br />
‘thoughtcrime’, and when later<br />
societies seemed to veer in that<br />
direction they began to be termed<br />
‘Orwellian’. It is a word that has not<br />
fallen out of use in the 21st century.<br />
Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair:<br />
he was born in India, but his<br />
mother brought the family back to<br />
England not long after his birth. He<br />
lived in many and varied places,<br />
ranging from London and Paris to<br />
the Hebridean island of Jura, where<br />
towards the end of his life – he died<br />
of a burst artery in his lung at the<br />
age of 46 – he wrote much of 1984.<br />
But he loved Suffolk, where he lived<br />
at Southwold, and the pseudonym<br />
Orwell was inspired by a river in<br />
Suffolk.<br />
Orwell described himself as an<br />
atheist, a humanist and a social<br />
democrat, but he regularly attended<br />
Anglican churches – including Holy<br />
Communion; he involved himself in<br />
their activities and had two Anglican<br />
weddings, as well as requesting an<br />
Anglican funeral.<br />
For the lucid prose of his work as<br />
a whole, Orwell has received many<br />
accolades, and The Economist<br />
described him as “perhaps the<br />
20th century’s best chronicler of<br />
English culture”: he felt himself to<br />
be a defender of the working class<br />
and of such delights as fish and<br />
chips, football and strong tea. He<br />
was a journalist, a teacher and a<br />
policeman, among other things, but<br />
as a novelist he was supreme; other<br />
striking work includes Animal Farm<br />
and The Road to Wigan Pier.<br />
INSIDE OUT<br />
PROPERTY SERVICES<br />
Painting & Decorating<br />
Carpentry<br />
Repairs, Maintenance<br />
& Improvements<br />
Handyman Service<br />
No Job Too Small<br />
CALL OR EMAIL JOHN ON<br />
07757 215462<br />
insideoutja@mail.com<br />
ARE YOU CREATIVE?<br />
Your chance to lead the way<br />
for BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS<br />
LEADING WILDLIFE charity Butterfly Conservation is<br />
calling on nature enthusiasts across the UK to design<br />
a brilliant banner which will have pride of place at the<br />
upcoming Restore Nature Now march.<br />
The winning design<br />
will be printed and held<br />
aloft at the head of the<br />
wildlife charity’s party<br />
as they, along with<br />
thousands of others,<br />
march to Westminster<br />
in London on Saturday<br />
22nd June calling for<br />
urgent action to ensure<br />
nature’s recovery.<br />
The competition,<br />
which runs until<br />
3rd June, is open<br />
to anyone still<br />
in education and<br />
encourages budding creatives and campaigners to create a standout<br />
design which shows their support for butterflies and moths and the vital<br />
need to protect them.<br />
Crayons, paints, computers – all mediums are welcome, and the winning<br />
banner will be chosen by Butterfly Conservation’s brand-new Youth Panel<br />
who will be looking out for fun, bold, emotive, and creative designs.<br />
As well as taking pride of place at the head of the Butterfly Conservation<br />
team at the march, the winner will also receive a Butterfly Conservation<br />
t-shirt to proudly show their support for wildlife.<br />
Restore Nature Now will see organisations from across the conservation<br />
sector peacefully march through the streets of London to demand that the<br />
Government take urgent action to ensure nature’s recovery and hopes to<br />
be the largest public demonstration of support for nature and climate action<br />
that the UK has ever seen.<br />
Julie Williams, Butterfly Conservation’s CEO said: “Our butterflies and<br />
moths are under threat. 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s.<br />
Moth numbers have fallen by at least 33% in that same time. We know<br />
what is needed to reverse these declines. It’s time to act.<br />
“With sufficient resources we have shown that conservation action works<br />
at both local and national level. But current Government funding and<br />
policies are falling short, and our butterflies and moths can’t wait. We will<br />
be marching to make our voice and the voices of our supporters heard.”<br />
To enter the competition, send a photograph or scan of your design in a<br />
landscape format to socialbutterfly@butterfly-conservation.org along<br />
with your name, age and a contact email address or telephone number, by<br />
8pm on Monday 3rd June <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
For full details, visit https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/<br />
get-creative-for-nature-for-a-chance-to-win<br />
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Clinic or Home Visits ring:<br />
01530 242277 or<br />
07949 212128<br />
or email:<br />
footandtherapyclinic@gmail.com<br />
Someone told me I was being a bit crabby, so I pinched him, and walked off sideways.
14<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
The Herald<br />
PO Box 8, Markfield,<br />
Leics. LE67 9ZT<br />
Tel: 01530 244069<br />
info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
The Herald is a monthly local<br />
magazine delivered free to<br />
approximately 4,000 homes and<br />
businesses in Markfield, Field<br />
Head, Stanton under Bardon,<br />
Thornton and Bagworth.<br />
Contact Mike Wilkinson with<br />
your articles, news items or<br />
advertising enquiries.<br />
Printed by Norwood Press in<br />
Ellistown.<br />
The opinions expressed by<br />
contributors are not necessarily<br />
those of the Herald Production<br />
Team. The inclusion of any<br />
group or organisation in this<br />
publication does not necessarily<br />
imply a recommendation of<br />
its aims, methods or policies.<br />
The Herald cannot be held<br />
responsible for the information<br />
disclosed by advertisements, all<br />
of which are accepted in good<br />
faith.<br />
Every effort is made to ensure<br />
the accuracy of information in<br />
this magazine, but no liability<br />
can be accepted for loss or<br />
inconvenience caused as a<br />
result of error or omission.<br />
The Herald reserves the right<br />
to amend, shorten or refuse<br />
to publish articles and/or<br />
advertisements submitted for<br />
publication.<br />
All contents © The Herald.<br />
None of the articles or adverts<br />
contained in this magazine are<br />
to be reproduced in any way<br />
without first obtaining written<br />
consent from The Herald.<br />
Borough Councillor’s Report<br />
From Councillor Claire Harris<br />
I WRITE THIS report with a sad<br />
heart, as some of you may have<br />
heard about the application that<br />
was granted recently for a car<br />
showroom at the bottom of Altar<br />
Stones Lane; myself, the residents<br />
and the Parish Council worked<br />
very hard on objecting to this<br />
application but we were outvoted<br />
by the Planning committee at<br />
HBBC.<br />
I can only hope that the applicant works with the residents, to not cause<br />
too much disruption to them and others.<br />
On that note, please be reminded that you don’t have to sit on the<br />
planning portal to view applications received, all applications, even minor<br />
applications are consulted with Markfield Parish Council’s Planning and<br />
Highways committee, agendas are published monthly on their website<br />
and notice boards, their monthly meetings are open to the public for any<br />
comments or objections.<br />
We are progressing with the Local Plan at HBBC, moving towards<br />
Regulation 18 in the next few weeks then onto a public consultation.<br />
Flooding near Chitterman Way<br />
I would like to make reference to some terrible flooding that is taking<br />
place just off Chitterman way, on the footpath towards the park. I have<br />
been investigating this matter with various organisations and I can assure<br />
residents that investigations are taking place, as with most things, this<br />
takes time. But I assure you it’s being dealt with and we should have an<br />
outcome soon.<br />
Internet cabling in Markfield<br />
I have recently raised concerns with Highways and the contractors that<br />
are installing Internet cables within our village, whilst the benefits of better<br />
connection speeds are a great welcome, some residents have found their<br />
works to be quite disruptive. My main concerns however, are the poor<br />
traffic management plans put in place or rather the lack of. I hope my<br />
feedback to them will provide a better strategy going forward and perhaps<br />
better communication from contractors to residents.<br />
Should you need my assistance with anything please do get in contact.<br />
Councillor Claire Harris<br />
Email: Claire.Harris@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk<br />
Church Services<br />
DATE CHURCH TIME SERVICE<br />
19 th May <strong>2024</strong> St Michael’s and All<br />
Angel’s, Markfield<br />
10.30am<br />
CTiM at the Trinity<br />
Methodist Church<br />
St Peter's, Copt Oak 3.00pm Holy Communion<br />
St Peter's, Thornton 10.30am Morning Prayer<br />
St Mary's, Stanton<br />
under Bardon<br />
10.30am J22 Community Worship<br />
with Holy Communion<br />
26 th May <strong>2024</strong> St Michael’s and All<br />
Holy Communion<br />
Angel’s, Markfield 6.00pm<br />
St Peter's, Copt Oak 6.00pm Evening Prayer<br />
St Peter's, Thornton 10.30am Holy Communion<br />
St Mary's, Stanton<br />
under Bardon<br />
10.30am<br />
Something Different<br />
Service<br />
2nd June <strong>2024</strong> St Michael’s and All<br />
J22 Community Worship<br />
Angel’s, Markfield 10.30am<br />
St Peter's, Copt Oak 6.00pm Holy Communion<br />
St Peter's, Thornton 9.00am Breakfast Service<br />
St Mary's, Stanton 10.30am<br />
Holy Communion<br />
under Bardon<br />
9th June <strong>2024</strong> St Michael’s and All<br />
Holy Communion<br />
Angel’s, Markfield 6.00pm<br />
St Peter's, Copt Oak 3.00pm Service of the Word<br />
St Peter's, Thornton 10.30am J22 Community Worship<br />
with Holy Communion<br />
St Mary's, Stanton<br />
under Bardon<br />
10.30am<br />
Morning Prayer<br />
Trinity Methodist<br />
Church Markfield<br />
SERVICES & INFORMATION<br />
www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org<br />
FB: Markfield Methodist Church<br />
Sunday 19th May<br />
Pentecost Sunday<br />
10.30 a.m. United Christian<br />
Aid Service<br />
Sunday 26th May<br />
10.30 a.m. Morning worship<br />
Sunday 2nd June<br />
10.30 a.m. Morning worship<br />
Sunday 9th June<br />
10.30 a.m. Morning worship<br />
Sunday 16th June<br />
CTiM United Service<br />
10.30 a.m. Morning worship at<br />
St. Michael’s Parish Church<br />
6.00 p.m. Taize prayer with<br />
songs & silence<br />
Music Cafe<br />
Thursdays 23rd May &<br />
June 13th from 2.00 - 4.00<br />
This is a music-based afternoon<br />
when we listen to music, singalong,<br />
join in a quiz, enjoy a chat<br />
over refreshments - and have fun!<br />
So don’t be on your own, join us<br />
and have a change of scene for a<br />
couple of hours. We always meet<br />
on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of<br />
the month & there’s something<br />
different every session.<br />
For more information please<br />
contact Linda on 01530 242607.<br />
“Come for a Cuppa”<br />
Every Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00<br />
Come and meet each other on<br />
Wednesday mornings. There is<br />
no charge for the refreshments.<br />
You can sample Ian’s treats,<br />
borrow a book & swap a jig-saw.<br />
Just come through the main<br />
church building and you’ll find us<br />
in the back room.<br />
“LE8 FIVE<br />
Brass Quintet”<br />
Friday, 28th June at 7.00 p.m.<br />
Tickets priced £12 are available<br />
for what promises to be a great<br />
night’s entertainment with<br />
music from stage and screen.<br />
Refreshments are included. Please<br />
contact Linda & Bill on 01530<br />
242607 or Ann & Ian on 01530<br />
242166 to reserve your ticket.<br />
We invite you to join us for<br />
Sunday worship & at all our<br />
regular meetings & events. You<br />
will be made most welcome.<br />
Please go to our website for much<br />
more information.<br />
www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org<br />
I used to be a mobile hairdresser but that didn’t work out, as not enough people had hairy phones.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
80 years ago:<br />
The D-Day<br />
Normandy<br />
Landings<br />
EIGHTY YEARS AGO, on 6th June 1944, the D-Day<br />
Normandy Landings took place. More than 150,000 Allied<br />
troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. The Battle of<br />
Normandy ended<br />
on 25th August<br />
with an Allied<br />
victory.<br />
The question of what<br />
the D stood for has<br />
never been absolutely<br />
determined: some say<br />
it just stood for Day;<br />
others maintain it<br />
was Disembarkation,<br />
because it was an<br />
amphibious operation.<br />
What is sure is that<br />
there was a spiritual<br />
dimension. General<br />
Eisenhower, the commander of Operation Overlord, urged those taking<br />
part to “beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble<br />
undertaking”, and President Roosevelt broadcast a prayer to the nation –<br />
the United States, that is.<br />
Before June 5 – the original date for D-Day, before bad weather forced a<br />
rethink – a massive and successful series of deceptions were put in place<br />
to make the Nazis think the invasion would come elsewhere. The Germans<br />
were certainly confused. Hitler, thinking the attack was a feint, refused to<br />
send reinforcements, and their strategy was hampered by the absence of<br />
their brilliant Commander Erwin Rommel, who was on leave.<br />
Nevertheless, the Americans suffered over 2,000 casualties at Omaha<br />
Beach, which was the most heavily defended. Altogether it was reckoned<br />
that over 4000 Allied troops were killed, but about 156,000 successfully<br />
stormed the beaches, and many landed behind the lines, including<br />
American paratrooper Private John Steele, who descended on to the<br />
pinnacle of the church tower in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first village to be<br />
liberated by the U S Army. Lit up by searchlights, he survived by pretending<br />
to be dead, was captured and then escaped, joining the invading soldiers.<br />
This year handmade silhouettes of almost 1,500 servicemen were<br />
transported to Normandy for an art installation, Standing with Giants, to<br />
mark the anniversary.<br />
A<br />
concert with<br />
Octave<br />
Songs from Musicals, Film<br />
and well-known arias from Opera<br />
<br />
Saturday,<br />
1 st June <strong>2024</strong><br />
7.00pm<br />
at<br />
St. Peter’s Church<br />
Glenfield, LE3 8DP<br />
www.stpetersglenfield.org.uk<br />
Tickets £10 (incl. refreshments)<br />
(Aged 15 and under with an adult £3)<br />
from<br />
Doreen 0116 233 8604<br />
Tola 07392298544<br />
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Based in Merrylees<br />
Change one letter at a time<br />
(but not the position of any letter)<br />
to make a new word moving from top to bottom.<br />
BACK<br />
DOOR<br />
Answers on page 22.<br />
Film FILM Title Pictograms<br />
1967<br />
MUCKY UNCLEAN GRUBBY<br />
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For friendly advice and prices for all car . body repairs,<br />
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Visit our website to see examples of our work:<br />
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The hardest thing about living in Mexico is if I ever want to wave to someone, I need another 50,000 people to help.
16<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
County Council Update from Peter Bedford<br />
Email: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk Tel: 01455 824733<br />
Web: www.facebook.com/peterbedfordmdt www.twitter.com/PeterBedfordMDT<br />
Hello everyone,<br />
I want to start this month’s update by congratulating<br />
Rupert Matthews on his re-election as Police & Crime<br />
Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.<br />
I have known Rupert for many years, and he knows my views on rural<br />
policing; and the need to ensure that county areas, like ours, receives its<br />
fair share of police resource and attention. I wish Rupert well in his second<br />
term; and residents can be confident that if I feel we aren’t getting the<br />
attention we deserve he will know about it from me!<br />
Planning<br />
applications<br />
Two storey front extension and<br />
single storey side extension - at<br />
2 Meadow Lane, Stanton<br />
Under Bardon, Markfield,<br />
Leicestershire LE67 9TL<br />
Construction of portal framed<br />
building for the storage of<br />
vehicle equipment - at Denbar<br />
Lodge, Hillside, Markfield,<br />
Leicestershire LE67 9UP<br />
Single storey rear extension, new<br />
front porch, garage conversion and<br />
roof alteration - at 35 Highfield<br />
Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0GU<br />
Bus Services<br />
IN THE MONTH I have had several conversations with residents about the<br />
poor level of service provided by some of the bus services in the area.<br />
Whilst these services are privately operated, I have again reiterated to the<br />
businesses the unacceptable position of buses being late or in some cases<br />
missed altogether. I do know that our current MP, Dr Luke Evans, as made<br />
similar representations and we will continue to keep the pressure on them<br />
to ensure that this improves.<br />
Highways issues<br />
IN THE MONTH I have taken forward several highways’ issues, with<br />
the County Council, including the incorrect parking lining on Main Street,<br />
adding a works order to resolve the ‘nasty’ drop-entrance to the Community<br />
Centre from Mayflower Close, and escalating poor sub-contractor work at<br />
spots reported by residents.<br />
Bardon Hill Community Fund<br />
LAST MONTH I encouraged community groups, in need of support, to get<br />
in touch for potential grants from the Bardon Hill Quarry Community Fund.<br />
Several groups have come forward and these will be considered at June’s<br />
committee meeting. I am pleased<br />
that the committee has recently<br />
approved a grant to Stanton under<br />
Bardon for their ‘StanFest’ event<br />
on Saturday 8th June (from 1pm);<br />
which looks set to be an enjoyable<br />
day!<br />
Again, if you know any groups who<br />
are in need to financial support<br />
for community-based projects/<br />
initiatives please let me know and I<br />
will be able to steer you in the right<br />
direction with Bardon Hill Quarry!<br />
If you have any issues that I can<br />
be of assistance with please do not<br />
hesitate to get in touch,<br />
Best Wishes,<br />
Peter<br />
(County Councillor for Markfield,<br />
Desford & Thornton)<br />
E: peter.bedford@leics.gov.uk or<br />
T: 01455 824733<br />
www.facebook.com/<br />
peterbedfordmdt<br />
Single storey rear and side<br />
extension - at 45 Woodbank<br />
Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0BP<br />
Single storey side and rear<br />
extension and new boundary<br />
fence - at 27 Pine Tree Avenue,<br />
Groby, Leicester LE6 0EQ<br />
Loft conversion with front and rear<br />
dormers - at 13 Hilary Crescent,<br />
Groby, Leicester LE6 0BG<br />
Two storey rear extension and<br />
single storey garage to the front<br />
- at 209 Leicester Road, Field<br />
Head, Markfield, Leicestershire<br />
LE67 9RF<br />
You can find local planning<br />
applications on the Hinckley<br />
& Bosworth Borough Council<br />
website. Type the following<br />
address into your browser bar:<br />
https://pa.hinckley-bosworth.<br />
gov.uk/<strong>online</strong>-applications/<br />
GAS-SERVWELL<br />
Established 1984<br />
BROOKVALE BLINDS<br />
WOODEN ROMAN PLEATED<br />
H FREE home visit, quote and installation<br />
All gas appliances<br />
H Prompt, reliable, local service<br />
serviced, repaired<br />
H Over 20 Years Experience<br />
and fitted<br />
H Vertical, Venetian, Roller, Pleated, Roman & Wooden Blinds<br />
REGISTER<br />
Tel: 0116 239 0484 or 07976 572926<br />
OAP<br />
˜<br />
Email: General gkent54@btinternet.com<br />
Plumbing & Repairs<br />
Reduced<br />
˜ Same Day Priority Breakdown Visits Rates<br />
˜ Power Flushing and Heating Upgrades<br />
˜ 5-15 year Guarantee On Fitted Boilers - Parts & Labour<br />
GENERAL PLUMBING<br />
& REPAIRS - No Job Too Small<br />
Tel: 0116 236 7923 Mob: 07860 735066<br />
Email: bobzgas@gmail.com<br />
GAS-SERVWELL<br />
Established 1984<br />
All gas appliances<br />
serviced, repaired<br />
and fitted<br />
˜<br />
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OAP<br />
General Plumbing & Repairs<br />
Reduced<br />
Same Day Priority Breakdown Visits Rates<br />
Power Flushing and Heating Upgrades<br />
5-15 year Guarantee On Fitted Boilers - Parts & Labour<br />
Tel: 01530 251315 Mob: 07860 735066<br />
Email: bobzgas@gmail.com<br />
REGISTER<br />
GENERAL PLUMBING<br />
& REPAIRS - No Job Too Small<br />
The other day a woman described me as a bit of a looker. Well, voyeur was the actual word that she used.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
17<br />
Dowding Solicitors Limited<br />
We offer a personal friendly<br />
service locally for all your legal<br />
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• Wills<br />
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or email: kathryn@dowdingsolicitors.co.uk<br />
Do you forget where your keys or wallet are?<br />
IT <strong>MAY</strong> BE irritating, but don’t worry – it does not mean that you<br />
are losing your memory.<br />
Instead, it is merely your brain forgetting them on purpose, so that it can store other<br />
information.<br />
That is the verdict of two academics whose book The Psychology of Memory, sets<br />
out to explain why we forget some things that we assume we should always know.<br />
Dr Megan Sumeracki and Dr Althea Kaminske argue that storing and retrieving<br />
information is far more complicated than people think.<br />
Dr Kaminske of Indiana University School of Medicine said: “Because we are most aware of our memory when we<br />
have trouble remembering something, our intuitions about how memory works might be a little biased.<br />
“For example, I spend an embarrassing amount of time looking for my phone, water bottle, and keys. You may<br />
be unsurprised to learn that our memory systems are not necessarily designed to remember where we put our<br />
phones. Or keys. Or water bottles.<br />
Co-author Dr Sumeracki of Rhode Island College added: “A degree of forgetting is natural to allow the brain to<br />
remember more general information. Memory does not work like a recording device, they say, but ‘more like a Wiki<br />
page’ because details can be edited.”<br />
CATHOLIC CHURCHES<br />
OF ST WILFRID OF<br />
YORK AND HOLY CROSS<br />
53 London Road, Coalville, LE67<br />
3JB – 01530 832098<br />
SUNDAY MASSES:<br />
Saturday 6 pm – Holy Cross<br />
Church Whitwick*<br />
Sunday 9 am – Holy Cross Church,<br />
Whitwick*<br />
Sunday 10.30 am - St Wilfrid’s<br />
Church, Coalville<br />
* Holy Cross Church, Parsonwood<br />
Hill, Whitwick, LE67 5AT.<br />
Please note that for two Sundays<br />
only, on 26 May and 2 June, Mass<br />
at St Wilfrid’s Church will be at 9<br />
am and the 10.30 am Mass will be<br />
at Holy Cross Church.<br />
WEEKDAY MASSES:<br />
Monday 10 am – St Wilfrid’s<br />
Parish**<br />
Tuesday – No Mass<br />
Wednesday 10 am – Holy Cross<br />
Church<br />
Please see the Newsletter on the<br />
Parish website for more details.<br />
** St Wilfrid’s weekday Masses are<br />
held in the Oratory. Please access<br />
via the front door of the Presbytery,<br />
beside the Church.<br />
If you need a priest: please contact<br />
our Parish Priest, Fr Gabriel Offor<br />
on 01530 832098 or email www.<br />
stwilfspriest@gmail.com.<br />
PARISH WEBSITE:<br />
www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot.co.uk.<br />
SACRAMENT OF<br />
RECONCILIATION:<br />
You can book an appointment with<br />
Fr Gabriel - 01530 832098.<br />
SCHOOL DETAILS:<br />
St Clare’s RC Primary School,<br />
Coalville: 01530 837747 www.<br />
st-clares.leics.sch.uk<br />
De Lisle RC College,<br />
Loughborough: 01509 268739<br />
www.delisle.leics.sch.uk<br />
Holy Cross School, Whitwick:<br />
01530 832 799 www.<br />
holycrosswhitwick.co.uk<br />
MARKFIELD MASS<br />
Tuesday 4 June at 7 pm in<br />
the Markfield Congregational<br />
Community Church on Main St.<br />
Everyone is most welcome.<br />
CHURCHES TOGETHER<br />
IN MARKFIELD<br />
Sunday 19 May at 10.30 –<br />
Christian Aid Week United Service<br />
at the Methodist Church with a<br />
Christian Aid speaker. Everyone is<br />
most welcome.<br />
Village Contact:<br />
Margaret on<br />
01530 243292<br />
I’m not saying I’m unlucky but when I went to DFS to buy a sofa, the sale had finished.
18<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Pause for Thought<br />
WHEN I WAS at school,<br />
about fifty-plus years<br />
ago, I was a boy who<br />
sort of stumbled through,<br />
approximately doing what<br />
teachers asked of me, but<br />
too approximately for their<br />
liking, a fact they made clear<br />
at parents’ evenings.<br />
“Your son has the sword of<br />
Damocles hanging over him”.<br />
Whatever that meant. Answers on a<br />
postcard please.<br />
There were other boys. They were in tune with what the teachers were<br />
getting at. And better still, they were cool. They had great hair. And<br />
sometimes they would turn up to school with really cool records under their<br />
arms. I don’t know why they did, but I know the effect the records had on<br />
me. They were vinyl in big twelve-inch sleeves, making maximum impact<br />
to this onlooker. Bob Dylan, Traffic, John Mayall, Cosmic Sounds … so<br />
impressive. One thing I wanted was to be that cool.<br />
And the words: She’s got everything she needs/ She’s an artist, she<br />
don’t look back/She can take the dark out of the nighttime/ And paint the<br />
daytime black. Wow. Dylan writing great words about women. Who knows<br />
what they meant? And fifty-plus years later, still stumbling, pleased with my<br />
record collection, and reading other great words about women. In the New<br />
Testament. Mary, Martha, the woman at the well, the old, sick woman in<br />
Galilee, Dorcas, Lydia - all special, faithful, wise and praiseworthy for some<br />
aspect of their faith. Very clearly people to try and emulate.<br />
Even nowadays there are women whose examples I am aware of. In<br />
our own benefice, not somewhere miles away. Muriel Walker, whose<br />
caring career teaching generations of village kids made such an impact.<br />
Shirley Garlick, who amongst a million other things set up a meeting<br />
place for potentially isolated people in Thornton. Delia Geary, who founded<br />
breakfast church at the community centre because she has such a heart<br />
for the community.<br />
Cool is not where it’s at,<br />
something to strive for. Practical<br />
love for our communities most<br />
definitely is!<br />
Dave Robinson<br />
Local Minister with the J22 Benefice<br />
Me, attempting cool, circa 1972<br />
Spot the difference!<br />
There are 10 differences between the two<br />
images below. How many can you spot?<br />
There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?<br />
ANSWERS ON PAGE 22<br />
Allowance has increased<br />
Foster carers needed<br />
PAYMENT and allowance benefits for foster carers in<br />
Leicestershire have risen by nearly 7%.<br />
Following a 6.88% rise in the National Minimum Allowance for foster<br />
carers in England, the minimum weekly allowance for a foster carer has<br />
increased to £170 per week, with the maximum weekly allowance going up<br />
to £249 per week*.<br />
Additional weekly skill fees,<br />
paid in recognition of carers’<br />
skills, experience and dedication<br />
to continuous learning and<br />
development, have also increased.<br />
With 733** children and young<br />
people in care, Leicestershire<br />
County Council urgently needs new<br />
foster carers to provide a loving,<br />
safe and supportive home for<br />
children and young people in care.<br />
Most in-house foster carers can<br />
get a tax-free allowance of £18,400<br />
and also access further payments,<br />
including clothing and school<br />
uniform allowances, birthday and<br />
holiday allowances, and festival<br />
allowances.<br />
Jane Moore, director of<br />
children and family services at<br />
Leicestershire County Council,<br />
said: “We are so proud of our<br />
carers. They offer their time, love,<br />
and abundant skills to look after our<br />
children and young people.<br />
“We know that our foster carers<br />
don’t just do this for the money, but<br />
we know that it is something people<br />
need to think about, especially<br />
during the hard financial times<br />
people are facing, and this payment<br />
increase helps to show our ongoing<br />
and unwavering support to them.<br />
“The sad fact is that the number<br />
Stupid birds outside are singing so loudly I can’t hear my ‘Relaxing Birdsong’ CD.<br />
www.nickgowman.com<br />
of children and young people in our<br />
care is steadily rising year-on-year,<br />
and we desperately need to recruit<br />
more carers to ensure we are<br />
offering our young people the best<br />
chance of succeeding in life.”<br />
Anyone interested in finding out<br />
more about foster carer payments<br />
and allowances can visit the<br />
fostering in Leicestershire website<br />
www.leicestershire.gov.uk/fostering.<br />
Alternatively, they can attend<br />
one of the upcoming ‘Find Out<br />
About Fostering’ events, email the<br />
Fostering Team at fostering@leics.<br />
gov.uk, or call them on 0116 305<br />
0505.<br />
*Minimum and maximum<br />
payments depend on the age of the<br />
child or young person being cared<br />
for, and are designed to cover the<br />
basic cost of caring for them.<br />
**figure correct as of April <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Watching<br />
birds is<br />
positively<br />
good for you<br />
SO SAYS A new study out<br />
of North Carolina State<br />
University. It goes on to<br />
say that watching birds is<br />
even more beneficial to us<br />
than watching other forms<br />
of wildlife.<br />
The new study found that<br />
birdwatchers’ recorded ‘distress’<br />
levels dropped by 13.7 per cent,<br />
compared to that of nature-walkers’<br />
at 6.9 per cent.<br />
The study suggests that the<br />
reason may be that birds provide<br />
their own narrative and sense of<br />
drama, which can be enough to lift<br />
someone watching them out of the<br />
everyday.<br />
The author and presenter<br />
Kate Humble agrees. “There is<br />
something reassuring about life<br />
continuing and nature just getting<br />
on with it, even if it feels like the<br />
rest of the world is falling to bits.<br />
Birdwatching makes me feel part of<br />
a bigger, richer, beautiful picture.”<br />
“Birds give me an excuse to<br />
explore and find some solitude and<br />
calmness away from the bustle of<br />
life,” says James Lowen, author of<br />
52 Wildlife Weekends. “It helps put<br />
me in my place.”
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
The RSPCA<br />
celebrates 200<br />
years<br />
IT WAS 200 years ago,<br />
on 16th June 1824, that<br />
a London vicar, Arthur<br />
Broome, and some 22 of<br />
his friends, including the<br />
MP William Wilberforce,<br />
met at Old Slaughters<br />
Coffee House in London.<br />
They were there because<br />
they were deeply<br />
concerned about the pitiful<br />
plight of many animals in<br />
Victorian England.<br />
That day in June, Arthur Broome<br />
and his friends decided to found<br />
the Society for the Prevention<br />
of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).<br />
It was the first national animal<br />
protection society in the world.<br />
Wilberforce, who was also known<br />
for campaigning to end slavery in<br />
the British colonies, now turned<br />
his attention also to the welfare of<br />
animals.<br />
At the time, compassion for<br />
animals was regarded as strange.<br />
But the SPCA began to change<br />
all that, by working tirelessly to<br />
promote kindness, and to prevent<br />
cruelty to animals.<br />
By 1840 the Society’s work was<br />
held in such high regard that<br />
Queen Victoria gave her permission<br />
for the SPCA to be called the<br />
Royal Society for the Prevention of<br />
Cruelty to Animals. By then there<br />
were five full-time inspectors, who<br />
were paid a guinea a week.<br />
In time, other similar societies<br />
sprang up around the world.<br />
Nowadays, the Society has<br />
many staff in England and Wales,<br />
including 323 inspectors and many<br />
volunteers. It is a charity and<br />
receives no government funding. It<br />
looks after ALL animals, including<br />
farm animals, wildlife, pets, and<br />
research animals.<br />
And here is an interesting<br />
footnote to history: the SPCA was<br />
launched five years before even<br />
the police force!<br />
Hinckley & District<br />
Parkinson’s Group News<br />
World Parkinson’s Day did<br />
receive a lot of television,<br />
radio and newspaper<br />
coverage on April 11th.<br />
Several publicised the fact<br />
that every hour two people are<br />
diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the<br />
UK. That is 18,000 people every<br />
year which is a rather alarming<br />
thought. World Parkinson’s Day<br />
was all about making people aware<br />
of the disease.<br />
Locally there was a display at<br />
the entrance to Dobbies Restaurant at their Stapleton venue, where a<br />
good number of people were able to obtain information about the disease<br />
and about the support available in our area. On the day too, people were<br />
encouraged to wear blue – like Lawrence and Linda of Newbold Verdon.<br />
Yes, that really is a blue beard and blue hair courtesy of the local<br />
hairdresser! Just to prove it you can spot Lawrence again in this picture of<br />
the Markfield Walking Football Team who raised over £200 for Parkinson’s<br />
UK with an event on World Parkinson’s Day.<br />
Life at the Hinckley & District Group continues with a wide range of social<br />
and exercise activities, with Nordic Walking returning to a monthly slot<br />
throughout the summer.[May 16 and June 20 at 11.00 Acorn Café, Burbage<br />
Common] Bowling, a new activity at Barwell, is proving particularly popular.<br />
For further information about the group and all activities please contact<br />
Janet Kavanagh on 07932 615233.<br />
R.A. Leake<br />
Promote your business<br />
here every month<br />
Be in front of thousands of local readers as<br />
they find out more about their community<br />
Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk or call<br />
Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069<br />
19<br />
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All COVID Guidelines Adhered To.<br />
Don’t forget to<br />
send us your<br />
news.<br />
Email: info@<br />
markfieldherald.<br />
co.uk Thanks!<br />
P<br />
P<br />
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I once met a girl who had trouble written all over her. It wasn’t the most artistic of tattoos.
20<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Markfield Community Association News<br />
From Ron & Dawn Grantham 07885 243033 or 07904 222552<br />
Mayflower Club News<br />
AFTER ALL the wet and cold weather Spring has finally<br />
arrived.<br />
It’s so nice to have the sun shining, all the plants and trees bursting into life<br />
and the birds singing and busily building their nests.<br />
So, it is relevant that this month, the Mayflower Club has been celebrating<br />
spring and the onset of summer.<br />
Elizabeth’s Talk on Eggs & Egg Cups<br />
JUST AFTER EASTER on 3rd April one of our favourite<br />
guest speakers Elizabeth came along to give us a talk on<br />
eggs and egg cups.<br />
What a remarkable lady she is.<br />
She’s in her nineties and despite<br />
the trauma of recently being<br />
burgled in her home she stalwartly<br />
gave us a wonderful talk on one<br />
of our staple food items - the<br />
very versatile egg. Showing us<br />
her collection of egg cups, she<br />
explained their use and changes in<br />
design over the years. As a mark<br />
of our appreciation, we presented<br />
her with a “Rooster” plant holder<br />
which she promptly named<br />
EGGBERT. She was even more<br />
delighted with a jar of Horlicks<br />
that we gave her to replace the jar<br />
stolen from her home during the<br />
burglary.<br />
A wonderful person and a wonderful talk.<br />
Markfield Grand National Game<br />
SPRING TIME is the time for the Grand National so, on the<br />
10th April we held our very own Markfield Grand National<br />
Game.<br />
Briefly, it was based on the Donkey Derby Race that you see at seaside<br />
amusements. Horse’s names were based on amusing variations of<br />
member’s names and each drew their entry horses by lot. Gabriella won<br />
the final winner’s race with her horse Helen’s Horseshoe with Barbara<br />
winning the loser’s race with Dinah’s Donkey. We also ran a sweepstake<br />
for the actual Grand National which Rona won – well done<br />
St George’s Day Pub Quiz<br />
ANOTHER spring time<br />
event is St George’s Day<br />
which we celebrated on<br />
the 24th April.<br />
We celebrated with a “Pub Quiz”<br />
and a lunch of faggots, sausages,<br />
mushy peas and mashed<br />
potatoes. The quiz was based<br />
on people or characters with the<br />
name George. The “boys” team<br />
of Bob, John, Alan and Peter<br />
came out as worthy winners with<br />
a magnificent score of 39 points.<br />
They all received a model dragon<br />
and of course a St George flag.<br />
Many of us can remember when,<br />
as nippers, we had re-enactment<br />
pageants at school and in our<br />
villages of St George slaying the<br />
dragon and rescuing the princess.<br />
Costume was made from used cereal boxes, bits of wood and old clothes<br />
and other material. St George flags were proudly flown at Churches, village<br />
greens, public buildings and other open spaces. Where has all this gone?<br />
May Day celebrations<br />
<strong>MAY</strong> DAY is a festival of ancient origin marking the<br />
beginning of summer celebrated on the 1st May and falls<br />
between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.<br />
May Day is a very important date in the rural calendar marking the time to<br />
plant many crops and vegetables with the hope and wishes for a bountiful<br />
harvest later in the year.<br />
May Day itself has many ancient traditions, customs and beliefs many of<br />
which have disappeared or are no longer practiced. How many of these do<br />
you know: Bringing in the May, May Birching, May Gosling, Powers of May<br />
Dew, Rowan Tree Branch Decorating, Holne Ram Roast, Hobby Horses,<br />
The Green Man, Cheese Rolling, moving the Bee Hives, Oxford University<br />
May Day singing and many more that have been lost in time.<br />
Like St George’s Day we could recall village May Day pageants including<br />
the May Queen, dancing around the maypole and Morris men and women<br />
dancing and singing to old folk music and tunes. Once again, I ask where<br />
has all this gone?<br />
So, at our session on the 1st May<br />
we celebrated May Day with a bit<br />
of pageantry of our own. Members<br />
drew lots and Shirley was crowned<br />
May Queen with a garland of flowers.<br />
Members then had a go at dancing<br />
around a home made and decorated<br />
maypole to the rhythm and sounds<br />
of traditional folk music. It was quite<br />
easy to start with but they then got<br />
in rather a mess trying to untangle to<br />
ribbons. Some even got rather dizzy<br />
attempting to do this. Finally, they<br />
had a go a cheese rolling aiming to<br />
hit a target and win a prize. It’s not<br />
as easy as it may seem. Angela<br />
proved to be the champion cheese<br />
roller with Eleanor and Kath as<br />
runners up.<br />
Finally, I must mention Helen. Helen<br />
and her family recently raised over<br />
£3,000 for Cancer Research through<br />
a raffle and her daughter Sally<br />
completing the London Marathon.<br />
Helen thanks all those who supported her and donated prizes and money<br />
towards this worthy cause.<br />
Here are some of the events we have in place for the coming weeks:<br />
King Charle’s Coronation first anniversary, D Day 80th anniversary,<br />
European Football Cup event, Wimbledon, Olympics and much more.<br />
Arts and Crafts Crochet Club<br />
THE CLUB is still growing with new members making<br />
crochet goodies and at the same time meeting new friends<br />
and having a natter.<br />
Don’t worry if you have had little or no experience of crochet work as<br />
Jayne, our instructor, is very patient and will lead you through this art even<br />
if you’re left-handed. So, if you if you are looking for a new hobby and<br />
meet new friends just come along and give it a try. Materials are provided<br />
for you.<br />
The Mayflower Club sessions are held at the Congregational Community<br />
Church rooms on Main Street, Markfield. Our Friendship Club and Arts<br />
and Crafts group meet Monday afternoons with our main Mayflower Club<br />
session being held on Wednesday afternoons. All sessions are from 2pm to<br />
4pm and only cost £2.50p per session with a cuppa and light refreshments<br />
thrown in. Don’t be shy - Just turn up on the day!<br />
Markfield Good Neighbours Scheme<br />
Don’t forget that our Good Neighbours Scheme volunteers are still here<br />
and ready to help and support you. Just give us a call on 078845 243033 if<br />
you or anyone you know need any help or support.<br />
Ron and Dawn Grantham, Markfield Community Association<br />
I like to start my day by having a nice cup of coffee and then scrolling through the internet for 12-14 hours.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
21<br />
Would you like to help?<br />
Looking forward to the<br />
Bagworth Show<br />
THE BAGWORTH FORWARD<br />
GROUP (BFG) continues to work<br />
hard in order to enhance the life<br />
of the village and the people who<br />
live there.<br />
BFG is preparing for its main event of the<br />
year, the Bagworth Show which this year<br />
happens on August 24th. It has classes<br />
in vegetables, fruit, flowers, baking, arts<br />
and crafts and a children’s section. There<br />
are over 20 trophies to be won as well<br />
as cash prizes. On the day there is also<br />
a car show, an attendance of emergency<br />
vehicles including fire, police and ‘blood<br />
bikes’. There will also be a great deal<br />
of ‘fun on the field’. BFG<br />
needs help with all aspects<br />
of the day including helping<br />
to set up on the day<br />
before. It is a good way to<br />
do something useful for<br />
the village and it is also a<br />
useful way to make some<br />
new friends. If you think<br />
that you could help then<br />
please contact Rob on<br />
r.a.jacobs@btinternet.<br />
com<br />
BFG is also responsible<br />
for the planters, spring<br />
daffodils in the grass<br />
verges and the wildflowers<br />
that are growing in the<br />
fields near the Beacon.<br />
The planters are tended by<br />
volunteers. BFG provides<br />
all of the cash required, all<br />
that you need to provide is<br />
a small amount of time. If<br />
you can help then please<br />
contact Rob at the above<br />
address. Most of the planters have been adopted but we are especially<br />
looking for someone to care for the one by the Roundhouse Close estate.<br />
You may or may not be aware that Bagworth has a great deal of history<br />
attached to it. This goes back to Domesday [1086] and beyond that. BFG<br />
is working to provide information around the village to highlight this history.<br />
If you are interested in joining this project please contact Rob at the above<br />
address or if you have photographs or information about the old village<br />
especially with regard to mining, trains, businesses, farming etc. then<br />
please tell Rob.<br />
Markfield WI News<br />
AT OUR APRIL<br />
meeting we were<br />
entertained by<br />
Baroness Bolsover<br />
who styles herself<br />
as “The Victorian<br />
Afternoon Tea Lady”<br />
The Baroness was<br />
dressed in full Victorian<br />
costume and acted<br />
her part as she took<br />
us through the origins,<br />
customs and etiquette of<br />
afternoon tea. She was<br />
incredibly interesting and<br />
a larger than life speaker<br />
who had us all in fits of<br />
laughter. We were all<br />
instructed on how to fold<br />
our napkins, pour the tea,<br />
hold our cups and stir<br />
the sugar., As we had all<br />
come prepared we tried<br />
our hardest to act the<br />
part, sitting correctly whilst<br />
drinking tea and eating<br />
finger food “daintily”.<br />
Whilst also learning a<br />
lot about the origins of<br />
tea traditions at all levels<br />
of society. A thoroughly<br />
enjoyable evening.<br />
We are pleased to report<br />
that the WI tree planted<br />
for the Queen’s Jubilee<br />
has recovered from its<br />
experience with the mower<br />
and now looks lovely with<br />
its blossom. Our thanks to<br />
all who tended it.<br />
Our May meeting will<br />
be a presentation of this<br />
year’s resolution Dental<br />
Health Matters, the most<br />
popular of the shortlisted resolutions voted for by WI members nationwide.<br />
This will be followed by social time and a supper.<br />
You can spend your whole life trying to be popular<br />
but, at the end of the day, the size of the crowd at your<br />
funeral will be largely dictated by the weather.<br />
Frank Skinner<br />
When a man says he’s fine what he really means is he’s fine.
22<br />
THE <strong>HERALD</strong> • MID-<strong>MAY</strong> <strong>2024</strong> • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
Date for your Diary<br />
NEWBOLD VERDON<br />
OPEN GARDENS<br />
Saturday 13th July<br />
10.30am - 5pm<br />
Cost £5 per person<br />
Under-12s free<br />
Cash or Card<br />
Get Programmes on the day from<br />
St James Church Hall, Main Street,<br />
Corner of Brascote Lane<br />
TEAS • PLANT STALL • RAFFLE<br />
AT LEAST 12 GARDENS OPEN<br />
Answers to Cryptic<br />
Animals Quiz<br />
1. Chipmunk, 2. Kangaroo, 3. Wolf,<br />
4. Deer, 5. Mole, 6. Giraffe, 7. Bear,<br />
8. Hedgehog, 9. Tiger, 10. Lion,<br />
11. Mule, 12. Tortoise, 13. Sloth,<br />
14. Squirrel, 15. Boa constrictor,<br />
16. Guinea pig, 17. Polecat, 18.<br />
Panther, 19. Stoat, 20. Beaver<br />
FILM PICTOGRAMS<br />
1. The Dirty Dozen<br />
2. Clash Of The Titans<br />
3. Donnie Darko<br />
WORD LADDER<br />
Here is one possible solution<br />
(others may exist)<br />
BACK, hack, hock, hook, book,<br />
boor, DOOR<br />
spot the difference<br />
ANSWERS<br />
1. Dad shoe missing, 2. Straw<br />
bale missing, 3. Baby elephant<br />
eyes shut, 4. Dad jacket different<br />
colour, 5. Clouds missing, 6. Baby<br />
elephant tail missing, 7. Railing<br />
missing, 8. Frog on rock missing,<br />
9. Adult elephant tusk missing, 10.<br />
Baby elephant tongue missing.<br />
CROSSWORD ANSWERS<br />
Across: 3 Telescope, 8 Rial, 9<br />
Obstacle, 10 Valued, 13 Tramp, 14<br />
College, 15 Fan, 16 Emerald, 17<br />
Virus, 21 Appear, 22 Illusion, 23<br />
Zeta, 24 Scientist.<br />
Down: 1 Privateer, 2 Wallpaper, 4<br />
Erode, 5 Epsilon, 6 Crab, 7 Polo,<br />
11 Retriever, 12 Jet stream, 14<br />
Cad, 15 Florist, 18 Lanes, 19 Alec,<br />
20 Cube.<br />
Message from Dr Luke Evans MP<br />
IT’S NOT EVERY day you find yourself in the<br />
national spotlight for doing the right thing,<br />
but I was the MP that blew the whistle on<br />
the Westminster ‘honeytrap’ situation, alerting<br />
both the Police and Parliamentary authorities<br />
to the issue. Since doing so, other people who<br />
received similar messages have come forward<br />
and the case continues to grow.<br />
I didn’t expect to be writing to you about this, but in<br />
this month’s column I will explain what happened a little<br />
further...<br />
In March I reported two incidents of cyber-flashing and<br />
malicious communications to the Police.<br />
I was approached by two different numbers on WhatsApp<br />
who purported to know me. The first messages came<br />
through when I was with my wife, the second came through<br />
10 days later when I was in the office with my team.<br />
On both occasions, after I tried to verify who was<br />
messaging me, I was sent unsolicited sexually explicit<br />
images. I immediately blocked the numbers and reported<br />
the contents to the Police and Parliamentary security.<br />
I was able to screenshot the written messages and, as the<br />
second incident occurred, my team made a record of the<br />
explicit images which meant we could share this information<br />
directly with the Police.<br />
I had no idea who had sent the messages or why they<br />
were targeting me. Was it really someone I had crossed<br />
paths with in Westminster? A journalist trying to create a<br />
story? Another MP trying to catch me out? Or a State actor<br />
trying to blackmail me? As I am Parliamentary Private<br />
Secretary to the Defence Secretary, this was an added<br />
consideration. I had no idea, but all of the above are<br />
concerning so I reported the messages right away.<br />
There is an ongoing police investigation into the matter<br />
so I wanted to keep it private – knowing, as well, how<br />
things can be misrepresented in the press and by<br />
political opponents – but when journalists found out that<br />
Leicestershire Police were investigating this following a<br />
report made by a Leicestershire MP, they soon discovered I<br />
was the one who had received the messages and reported<br />
them to our local police.<br />
I have always promised to keep people across Hinckley<br />
and Bosworth updated and to be clear and honest, so<br />
instead of giving a quote to reporters, I decided to record a<br />
video which explained the situation, so that you could hear<br />
directly from me rather than simply reading a few sentences<br />
in the news.<br />
Since I posted the video on my social media, I have<br />
been blown away by the amount of people from our area<br />
and across the country who have seen my video and<br />
come forward to share that they have also experienced<br />
similar incidents of phishing scams, flashing and blackmail<br />
attempts.<br />
Most importantly, Charlie (coincidentally, the person<br />
behind the first set of the messages had the same name as<br />
my wife!) and I would like to thank everyone who has taken<br />
the time to reach out to us since this happened and share<br />
kind messages. It’s greatly appreciated. I also want to thank<br />
Leicestershire Police for their ongoing support.<br />
This story continues to move on and develop and,<br />
as you may imagine, I have more questions than<br />
answers. But I’ve been as open and transparent<br />
about the situation as I can given there is an<br />
ongoing police investigation. If you have any<br />
questions or concerns, please do reach out (my<br />
email is luke.evans.mp@parliament.uk) and I will<br />
be happy to answer them as best I can.<br />
Dr Luke Evans MP<br />
Member of Parliament for Bosworth • House<br />
of Commons • London • SW1A 0AA<br />
email: luke.evans.mp@parliament.uk<br />
web: drlukeevans.org.uk<br />
tel: constituency: 07920 619812<br />
tel: parliament: 0207 219 4250<br />
mobile: 07920 619812<br />
Facebook: drlukeevansmp<br />
instagram: drlukeevans<br />
On the Titanic, the captain<br />
calls a meeting of his officers.<br />
‘I have some good news and<br />
some bad news. Which do<br />
you want to hear first?’<br />
‘The good news’,<br />
replies an officer.<br />
‘We’ll get eleven<br />
Oscars.’<br />
Enjoy this issue?<br />
Please pass it on to a friend or<br />
relative when you’ve finished<br />
with it. Thanks!<br />
Don’t forget to<br />
send us your<br />
news.<br />
Email: info@<br />
markfieldherald.<br />
co.uk<br />
Tomorrow is a big day for me at work. They are refilling the snack vending machine.
For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk<br />
23<br />
BRADGATE ROTARY CLUB<br />
YOU <strong>MAY</strong> well ask what is Rotary?<br />
The organisation’s mission statement is to “provide service to<br />
others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding,<br />
goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business,<br />
professional, and community leaders”.<br />
Whilst that is still true, it was written in1905, times have moved<br />
on considerably and while the ethos still stands its interpretation<br />
has moved with the times. Originally a male only organisation with<br />
its female support club, Inner Wheel, Rotary is now open to both<br />
genders.<br />
Some older established clubs still have the traditional set up but<br />
we in Bradgate Rotary think differently. We ...<br />
• Are a secular mixed gender club with around a 60/40 split in<br />
favour of female.<br />
• Are informal and are more like a group of friends than a club that<br />
meet for breakfast weekly<br />
• Have no egos and play to individual members strengths<br />
• Have a common<br />
interest in<br />
helping our<br />
local community<br />
whether by<br />
supporting a<br />
charity financially,<br />
painting a fence or<br />
providing advice<br />
and help<br />
• Enjoy and have fun<br />
in whatever we do<br />
• Put a smile on<br />
faces of all ages<br />
Bradgate Rotary’s<br />
catchment area<br />
covers Glenfield,<br />
Groby, Ratby,<br />
Markfield, Newtown<br />
Linford and Anstey.<br />
We would welcome<br />
you with open arms<br />
should you want to<br />
be part of Bradgate<br />
Rotary. It may well be that you just wish to volunteer with us on<br />
an ad hoc basis or join a group of like-minded people who like to<br />
make a difference to others. That choice is yours. I nearly forgot<br />
our motto: Service above Self<br />
Please contact us if you would like to know more or come along<br />
to a meeting and meet us in person. Contact details - email us at<br />
bradgaterotary@gmail.com or call Roy Cafferty 07817 523518 or<br />
Alan Rockey 07584 683022.<br />
We can take care of every detail, advise and help you<br />
on each and every step of the way.<br />
• Qualified Funeral Directors<br />
• Floral Tributes arranged<br />
• Hearse, Limousines and<br />
alternatives available<br />
• Monumental Service<br />
• Car parking available<br />
0116 234 0548<br />
• Online tribute and<br />
donation profile<br />
• Catering suite<br />
• Chapels of rest<br />
• Funeral plans available<br />
• 24 hour service<br />
Funeral arrangements can be made in the comfort of<br />
your own home if preferred.<br />
Talbott House, Leicester Road, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7AT<br />
Email: talbotthouse@ansteyfunerals.com Website: www.ansteyfunerals.com<br />
Forget the lift. Use the stairs<br />
CLIMBING STAIRS may be a hassle, but they could cut<br />
your risk of early death by a quarter.<br />
So says a recent major study on heart health. The study was presented to<br />
the recent European Society of Cardiology conference, and said that people<br />
who climb stairs regularly can achieve a 39 per cent lower likelihood of<br />
dying from heart attack, heart failure and stroke.<br />
One of the researchers, Dr Sophie Paddock, of the University of East<br />
Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust, in<br />
Norwich, said: “If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for<br />
the stairs as it will help your heart.<br />
“Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts, and<br />
short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate<br />
into daily routines.”<br />
Physical inactivity is associated with one in six deaths in the UK, according<br />
to a report compiled by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.<br />
Alexander the Great is what happens when men get to name themselves.