FEBRUARY 2024 HERALD online

MID-FEBRUARY 2024 

Markfield, Field Head, Stanton-under-Bardon, Thornton & Bagworth 

Life Saving 

Knowledge 

Vital 

Defibrillator 

& Resuscitation 

Training this 

Spring 

WE HAVE started planning 

for vital CPR/AED Training 

sessions in the Spring. 

There will be more news in the 

March Herald. 

Markfield Patient 

Participation Group 

Diary date 

Stanton Church 

Spring Fayre 

THE STANTON Church 

Spring Fayre takes place on 

Saturday 23rd March 2024 

between 2pm - 4pm. 

It will be held in St Mary & All 

Saints Church, Stanton Under 

Bardon and admission is FREE. 

Stalls include Tombola, Raffle, 

Books, Craft, Plants and Homemade 

Cakes. 

There will be games indoors for all 

ages to take part in. 

Coffee and Tea will be available 

when it is time for a chat with friends 

new and old. 

Gail Massey 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

3: More to celebrate in Bagworth 

4: Prepare for the New Tax Year 

6: Markfield Medical Centre PPG 

8: Small Ads 

9: Make a Bird Box 

10: Theatre Stars Wanted! 

14: Community Association News 

18: Markfield W.I. 

22. Dr Luke Evans MP 

PLUS LOTS MORE! 

More awards for Markfield 

I WAS 

ACCOMPANIED 

by Cllr Bedford to 

attended the HBBC 

Active Awards 

held at Hinckley 

Rugby club, and 

I am delighted to 

announce that more 

awards came home 

to Markfield. 

Awards were given 

to ME Sports in the 

Community and 

Mercenfeld Primary 

School - another great 

incentive by the council 

to promote health and 

wellbeing across the 

Borough. 

In other news, the 

council’s planning team 

continues to outperform 

government targets with 

over 80% of applications 

being determined within 

eight weeks or within 

agreed timeframes. 

The council has previously been open about the severe staffing issues in its planning team in late 2020 until 

September 2022 which came at a time when planning applications were at an all-time high. 

Since then, new members of staff have joined existing planning officers to improve the customer focus and 

response. This means residents have seen a vast improvement in the responses and updates to their queries in 

the last 15 months, while the speed of processing applications has also increased. 

All positive news this month, I hope it stays that way.Should you need my assistance please don’t hesitate to 

contact me. Claire.harris@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk 

Cllr Claire Harris 

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE 

FRIDAY 1ST MARCH 2024 AT 2.00PM 

TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH, MAIN ST, MARKFIELD, LE67 9UU 

Everyone is welcome • Refreshments are available afterwards 

‘I beg you, bear with one another in love’ 

Three years ago, long before the current war in Gaza, the Christian women of Palestine planned this year’s 

service. They are calling us to connect with the land from where Jesus came. They are living in an area of the 

world where conflict is constant, and the future is uncertain. However, the women of Palestine are sharing with 

love a reminder that they are there, and they want to give hope to everyone, which we need so much at this most 

difficult time, personally, nationally and internationally. 

The theme of the service 2024 ‘bear with one another in love’ seems very appropriate for these women who will 

not give up witnessing the love of Jesus Christ. 

World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation led by women which enables us to hear the 

thoughts of those women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers. 

For further information and resources, together with details of other services in your area, 

see the WDP website: wwdp.org.uk 

NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 16TH MARCH - DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES & ADVERTS IS 2ND MARCH

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

Email: lettings@oaktreelettings.co.uk 

86 Faire Road, Glenfield, LE3 8ED 

LANDLORDS 

Demand for rental property has 

never been higher, whilst the risk 

to landlords is increasing in these 

uncertain times. 

We offer a comprehensive 

and experienced management 

service, with Rent & Legal 

protection available. 

With the majority of our clients 

being recommended to us, 

contact Marianne or Louise for 

details of our New Year Offers. 

Established 2011

For publication dates and details of advertising rates, visit the website at www.markfieldherald.co.uk 

3 

More to celebrate in Bagworth 

THE MEMBERS of the Bagworth Community Centre Trust [BCCT] 

are delighted with the way the Centre is working but are also 

very pleased to see the way in which the people who use the 

Centre are succeeding. 

They are also very pleased to see how well their recent appointment of Dominique as 

Centre Administrator is proving to be an excellent choice. She is already demonstrating 

that she has the interests of the Centre at heart and this can only be good both for the 

Centre and for the village. 

Incy Wincy’s Preschool is also enjoying success in its use of the Centre. This can be 

seen in the fact that they are fully booked until September 2024. They are already taking 

bookings for the new academic year and parents who are thinking of enrolling their 

children are advised to get in touch with the preschool group as soon as they possibly 

can if they wish to avoid disappointment. 

Jo James’ Dance-tastic group is another very successful customer of the Centre. 

This ballroom and Latin American dancing group took part in their own version of 

Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday December 17th. It proved to be an afternoon of fun 

and dancing. Twelve couples with ages ranging from 8 to 75 took part in front of their 

families and friends. They danced waltzs, sambas, tangoes, jives and even a couple of 

popular sequence dances. They were judged by 3 judges. The Glitterball was awarded 

to Logan Turton and Sophie Moore for their excellent jive to ‘Great Balls of Fire’. 

In addition there was a cha cha competition which was won by mother and daughter 

Alison and Emily Gillis. Dance-tastic Principal, Jo James, who has been teaching 

dancing for over 35 years said, ‘ I’m absolutely blown away with the amount of work 

the dancers had put in away from their regular classes in order to create such great 

routines.’ A raffle raised £80 for a group of 4 people who are going to row 3000 miles 

across the Atlantic in 2025 in order to raise money for Macmillan nurses. 

If you wish to join this group or require more information, then do contact Jo and 

Dance-tastic. 

Another very successful group who call the Centre 

home is the Zen Goshin Ryu Martial Arts school. They 

are congratulating Isla, Flora, Morag, Eddie and Harry for 

passing their 1st Degree Black Belts and Kathryn who 

passed her 2nd Degree Black Belt. They have been training 

at the club for over 7 years and have shown an amazing 

level of dedication, determination, effort and maturity to get 

to that level. 

Their gradings lasted for over 3 1/2 hours and this involved 

the students demonstrating a wide range of self-defence 

techniques, karate basic, katas and ground work which 

pushed them to their limit. They are a credit to themselves, 

to the club, to martial arts and they should be extremely 

proud of their achievement. They join the 50 plus students 

who have gained their Black Belts at the club. 

For any further information contact Dominique at 

bagworthcommunitycentre.org or on 07856 406595 

More than halfway to 700,000 tree planting goal 

AMBITIOUS plans to plant 700,000 trees 

across Leicestershire have passed the 

halfway mark – with more than 356,000 

now planted. 

The landmark is another leap forward in 

Leicestershire County Council’s pledge to plant one 

tree for every person in the county and to help secure 

a greener future for Leicestershire. 

The council supports the initiative by planting trees 

directly, applying for funding or giving away free trees 

for suitable sites. It has also called on members of the 

public and other organisations to join its commitment 

by recording tree planting initiatives themselves. 

In 2023 alone, the authority gave away a total of 

50,000 trees through its partnership with the Woodland Trust through its free tree scheme to farmers, landowners, 

community groups, parish councils and schools in a bid to encourage more tree planting across Leicestershire, and 

is hoping to exceed that number in 2024. 

Mother’s reward 

A man was decorating his 

new den and decided it was 

a good place to display all 

the awards he and his two 

sons had won at various 

athletic competitions. When 

he had filled two whole walls, 

he remarked to his wife that 

it was a shame she had no 

awards to contribute. 

The following day, she 

produced, neatly framed, the 

birth certificates of their two 

sons, and added them to the 

display. 

I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible.

4 

THE HERALD • MID-FEBRUARY 2024 • Tel: 01530 244069 • Email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk 

Planning 

applications 

Lawful Development Certificate for 

the existing use of concrete area for 

storage of vehicles and equipment 

- at Denbar Lodge, Hillside, 

Markfield Leicestershire LE67 

9UP 

Part change of use of site to retail 

to allow public access to the nursery 

and the provision of a car park - at 

Poplar Cottage, Little Shaw Lane, 

Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 

9PP 

We’re fast approaching the end of the 2023-24 

tax year on 5 April. It’s not exactly a time for 

champagne and resolutions, but you could save 

or make money if you meet the deadline for 

several allowances and claims. 

If you’re an employee and you’ve overpaid on 

PAYE, for example, through a tax code error, 

you have four years to reclaim the money. 

That means 5 April is the deadline for claims 

regarding the 2019-20 tax year. The same 

timescale applies to reclaiming overpayments 

on self-assessment. 

As a sole trader, 5 April simply marks the end of 

the tax year for self-assessment purposes, with 

the filing deadlines not until 31 October for paper 

forms and 31 January 2025 for online filing, and 

the payment deadline 31 January in both cases. 

However, if you operate as a company, the filing 

deadline is one year after the end of your chosen 

accounting year. If you use the common 6 Aprilto-5 

April schedule, that deadline is looming for 

your 2022-23 tax return. 

The tax year deadline also marks the last chance 

to take advantage of several annual allowances 

for saving and investing. For example, the annual 

limit for putting money into tax-free ISAs is 

£20,000, of which a maximum of £4,000 can go 

to a Lifetime ISA. If you are close to this limit and 

have money available, consider whether to max 

out your allowance rather than wait till next year. 

You can’t carry over unused allowances. 

If you’re thinking of saving for a child, you may 

want to open a Junior ISA by 5 April. That way 

you’ll get an extra year to take advantage of the 

annual allowance of £9,000. 

Anyone who sells something at a profit (including 

shares and many other financial assets) has to 

pay capital gains tax on profits above an annual 

allowance. The allowance dropped significantly 

last year and is now only £6,000. 

That means that if you’re planning to sell or 

dispose of an asset, you should think carefully 

about when to sell it, which may reduce your 

tax liabilities. With shares, you may want to 

sell some now and then sell the rest in the new 

tax year. Remember that shares are inherently 

risky, so changes in their market price could 

significantly affect your overall position whenever 

you choose to sell. 

The pension contributions annual allowance also 

expires on 5 April. With the standard allowance 

being £60,000 it’s not a problem most of us will 

worry about, but those with the money available 

should get expert advice on whether and how to 

take advantage. 

Finally, 5 April may be your last chance to use 

the annual gift allowance regarding inheritance. 

The ‘annual exemption’ means you can give 

away up to £3,000 a year, either to one person 

or split across multiple people. As long as you 

live for another seven years, the amount won’t 

attract inheritance tax. You can carry any unused 

allowance over to the next tax year, but not into 

any following years after that. 

Single storey side and rear extension 

(following demolishing of existing 

detached garage) - at 63 Rectory 

Road, Markfield, Leicestershire 

LE67 9WN 

Outline planning permission for the 

erection of up to 4 dwellings (some 

matters reserved except for access 

and layout) following the demolition 

of existing commercial buildings - 

at 193 Shaw Lane, Markfield, 

Leicestershire LE67 9PW 

Variation of Condition 1 of planning 

application 23/00117/CONDIT. 

Revision of site layout and substitute 

house types - at Land Off Captain’s 

Lane / London Road, Markfield, 

Leicestershire LE67 9UY 

Single storey side extension, front 

carport and new dormer to create loft 

space - at White Hill, Whitwick 

Road, Copt Oak, Markfield, 

Leicestershire LE67 9QB 

First floor side extension and loft 

conversion with dormer to rear - at 

7 Mill Lane, Thornton, Coalville, 

Leicestershire LE67 1AQ 

Creation of an annex above 

garage - at Ashleigh, Merrylees 

Road, Thornton, Coalville, 

Leicestershire LE67 1AP 

Sometimes, not knowing where you are is exactly where you want to be.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT COMING UP AT 

GROBY CLUB 

Saturdays in 

FEBRUARY 

Saturday 10th February 

CHRIS JONES 

Friday 29th March 

WEST END JERSEYS 

four seasons tribute 


JIMMY JAMES 

One Not To Be Missed! 


GRAHAM CLARK 

Saturdays in 

MARCH 

Saturday 2nd March 

ROB MARSHALL 

Saturday 9th March 

ZOE SNOW 

Excellent Entertainer 


VINNIE CHRISTIAN 

Local Lad 

Saturday 23rd March 

SAM LYONS 

Vocalist and Comedian 

Prepare to be transported back in time to the 

golden era of music as London's West End 

luminaries bring to life the timeless hits of 

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. 

This unforgettable night promises to deliver the 

iconic sound of one of the most successful bands 

of the 50s and 60s, as you marvel at the 

unmistakable falsetto of Frankie Valli, 

passionately recreated by some of the nation's 

most gifted vocalists. 

Immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere 

and relive the unforgettable classics, including 

"Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like A 

Man," and many more, in an evening of pure 

musical bliss. Don't miss this rare opportunity to 

witness the magic of a truly legendary group, as 

their music echoes through the decades and 

continues to inspire generations. 

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT £10.00 

If you would like a BASKET MEAL please 

state when purchasing tickets. 

Price will be £5.00 extra. 

COMING SOON: AN EVENING WITH 

STEVE WALSH 

(Ex Leicester City Legend) 

Price for this is £15.00 which includes 

a basket meal.Tickets on sale shortly. 

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

Key Messages - survey 

6 


ce 

Share your experience of your GP practice 

of your GP practice 

– all patients aged 16 and over registered 

All 

at 

patients 

a GP practice 

aged 

in 

16 

Leicester, 

and over 

Leicestershire 

registered 

at a GP and Rutland practice are in invited Leicester, to tell us Leicestershire 

about 

and their Rutland most recent are experience. invited to tell Complete us about a 

their short most questionnaire recent experience. – Complete a 

www.bit.ly/LLRGPSurvey 

short questionnaire 

or pick up 

– 

a 

survey at your GP practice 

www.bit.ly/LLRGPSurvey or pick up a 

survey at your GP practice 

Share your experience 

of your GP practice 

All patients aged 16 and over 

registered at a GP practice in 

Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland 

are invited to tell us about their 

most recent experiences. 

Complete a short questionnaire. 

Your response will help local 

services improve, so they better 

meet your needs. 

The closing date is 

Sunday 10 March 2024 

Share your experience 

Leicester, Leicestershire 

and Rutland 


and Rutland 

To complete the questionnaire visit: 


or collect a copy from your GP practice. 

SCAN ME 

Contact us for alternative formats: 

llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net 

0116 295 7532 

Freepost Plus RUEE–ZAUY–BXEG 

LLR GP Patient Survey 

NHS LLR ICB 

Room G30, Pen Lloyd Building 

County Hall, Leicester Road 

Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TB 

Follow our social channels: 

@NHS Leicester, Leicestershire 

and Rutland 

@NHS_LLR 

Markfield 

Medical 

Centre PPG 

News 

of Local 

Healthcare 

Surveys 

TWO LOCAL NHS surveys 

are under way for which 

anonymous patient feedback 

is being sought through the 

completion and submission 

of on-line questionnaires or 

their paper-based equivalents. 

The information provided will 

be independently analysed 

and evaluated and will help 

to improve local healthcare 

services. 

Share Your Experience 

of Your GP Practice 

Share your experience of your GP 

practice invites patients aged 16 or 

over registered with your local surgery 

(Markfield Medical Centre) to share 

their recent experiences of making an 

appointment and to comment on the 

overall quality of care received. 

Visit www.bit.ly/LLRGPSurvey, phone 

0116 295 7532 or call at the surgery for 

a paper copy of the questionnaire. 

The closing date is 10th March 2024. 

What You Saying? 

What you saying? is aimed specifically 

at young people in Leicester, 

Leicestershire and Rutland in the 

age group 11 to 25 years who often 

see the world differently than other 

age groups and the survey explores 

their experiences and feelings of 

local health care. Visit www.bit.ly/ 

youngvoicesonhealth or scan the QR 

code below. The closing date is 3rd 

March 2024. 

To complete the questionnaire visit: 


or collect a copy from your GP practice. 

SCAN THIS QR 

CODE TO VIEW 

THE SCAN LLRGP ME 

SURVEY 

Contact us for alternative formats: 

There might be 

more to your 

GP practice 

than you think. 

All GP practices 

work in very different ways 

nowadays to make sure everyone 

gets the care they need from 

a suitably qualified healthcare 

professional. 

Get in the know, before you need 

to know, so you can get help for 

your medical problem as quickly as 

possible. 

www.getintheknow.co.uk 

SCAN THIS QR CODE 

TO VIEW THE 

‘WHAT YOU SAYING?’ SURVEY 

(SEE POSTER ON PAGE 23) 

llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net 

If you rearrange the letters of POSTMEN they become VERY ANGRY.


What do 

you think of 

the weather 

forecasts? 

IT SEEMS there is some 

turbulence between the 

Met Office and the Royal 

Meteorological Society. 

The Royal Meteorological Society 

has objected to the recent “deluge” 

of cautionary statements that the 

Met Office put out concerning the 

recent storms. It says that “probably 

not a day went by” during one week 

of bad weather, “without a weather 

warning.” It fears that too many 

warnings will risk making people 

“complacent”. 

The Met Office, backed by a 

Cabinet Officer minister, Alex 

Burghart, disagreed. Responding to 

an urgent question in the House of 

Commons, he said: 

“The forecasting capabilities of our 

experts in the Met Office and the 

accuracy and speed at which they 

can warn and inform the public of 

incoming severe weather events 

does, with no doubt, save lives and 

protect our homes and businesses.” 

What do you think? Is the Met 

Office playing Nanny, or getting it 

right? 

Happy 65th Birthday Barbie! 

IT WAS 65 YEARS ago, on 9th March 

1959 that the Barbie doll was first 

launched at the International Toy Fair in 

New York City. So, 9th March is Barbie’s 

official birthday. 

Here are some things you may not know 

about the doll: 

Barbie is arguably the world’s most popular doll. In 

fact, more than 100 are sold every minute. 

Barbie is 11-inches (29cm) tall and made of plastic. 

She has dubious origins, for she was modelled on 

a curvaceous doll in Germany called Lilli, who had 

originated as a highly risqué cartoon character in the 

West German newspaper Bild Zeitung. 

Barbie was designed by Jack Ryan, an engineer 

who worked on guided missile systems used by the 

US military. He developed her iconic twisting waist 

and bendable knee joints that clicked. 

In 1959 Barbie was ‘born’ in Southern California, the 

brainchild of Ruth Handler, who had co-founded the 

Mattel toy company with her husband in 1945. She 

wanted an adult doll that would inspire girls in the 

same way action figures of firefighters and soldiers 

encourage boys. 

In 1961 Mattel launched Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken. 

(The Handler’s children were named Barbara and 

Ken.) In 1980, Barbie was given an African American 

incarnation and a Latino incarnation. 

The original Barbie had impossible body 

proportions. If she had been human, she would have 

been 5 feet 9 inches tall and weigh 110 pounds. Her 

bust, waist, and hip measurements would be 36, 18, 

7 

and 38 inches respectively. Her neck wouldn’t be able to 

support her head, and her tiny ankles and feet would make 

walking impossible. 

Barbie’s first ‘job’ was as a fashion model. Since then, 

the doll has had more than 250 careers. These include 

being a surgeon, serving in the military, and even being an 

astronaut. 

Barbie has been positioned as the ‘ultimate American 

girl’, but she has never been manufactured in the United 

States, to avoid higher labour costs. More than a billion 

Barbie dolls have been sold since 1959. 

To celebrate, the Design Museum in London is holding an 

exhibition this summer, to tell the story of “one of the most 

recognisable brands on the planet.” 

Tel: 07989 600 627 

Email: dnurrish@hotmail.com 

Based in Merrylees 

VEHICLE REFINISH & BODY REPAIR 

Car And Motorcycle Paint Work Specialist Providing 

Vehicle Accident Body Repair, Refinishing, Colour Coding, 

T5 Upgrades, Servicing & Diagnostics 

Tel: 07989 600 627 

Email: dnurrish@hotmail.com 

Based in Merrylees 

VEHICLE REFINISH & BODY REPAIR 

Car And Motorcycle Paint Work Specialist Providing 

Vehicle Accident Body Repair, Refinishing, Colour Coding, 

T5 Upgrades, Servicing & Diagnostics 

Dent Removal Panel Replacement 

Scratch Repairs All Car Body Repairs 

Car & Motorcyle Servicing and Diagnostics 

Servicing Brake Replacement 

OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE 

For friendly advice and prices for all car . body repairs, 

call Dan on 07989 600 627 

Visit our website to see examples of our work: 

www.dcn-autobody.co.uk 

Dent Removal Panel Replacement 

Scratch Repairs All Car Body Repairs 

Car & Motorcyle Servicing and Diagnostics 

WE ARE NOW OFFERING 

Servicing & Brake Replacement 

OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE 

For friendly advice and prices for all car . body repairs, 

call Dan on 07989 600 627 

Visit our website to see examples of our work: 

www.dcn-autobody.co.uk 

I hear there is scientific proof that birthdays are good for you: the more you have, the longer you live.

8 


Local bereavement 

charity realises 

dream of owning 

its own building 

THE BODIE HODGES Foundation was set up in 

2013 by Donna and Nick Hodges following the 

death of their son Bodie. 

The charity is based in Leicester and supports families 

following the death of a child by offering a range of 

services. The charity celebrated its 10th year and now 

offers significant bereavement counselling services to 

children and their families. 

Small Ads 

• Two-seater mid Victorian SOFA, 

reupholstered, very reluctant sale, 

space needed. 

Price: £250 o.n.o. 

Tel: 01530 589234 (Markfield) 

• TWO SOFAS - by MultiYork - 

burgundy colour. One three-seat and 

one two-seat. Plus foot stool with 

storage. Price: £100.00. 

Tel: 07835 958998 (Groby) 

• Next DINING TABLE ‘Hartford’ 

style rough sawn. 90cm by 160cm. 

Height 76 cm. Two bench seats with 

storage and two wooden chairs. Price: 

£350.00 or any reasonable offer. 

Tel: 07939 973976 (Groby) 

Across Answers on page 22. 

1. Missile fired from a gun (6) 

7. Locked in by frozen water (8) 

8. Day nursery for young children (6) 

10. Slice of bacon (6) 

11. Fortune-teller’s pack of cards (5) 

13. Child’s construction set for making 

mechanical models (TM) (7) 

16. Small brownish songbird (7) 

17. Footwear that covers the lower legs (5) 

20. Medicinal pill (6) 

22. Descend by rope (6) 

24. French policeman (8) 

25. Implement for cutting grass (6) 

Down 

1. Small lynx of North America (6) 

2. Delicate, woven and decorative fabric (4) 

3. Striped cat (5) 

4. Having hair on the chin (7) 

5. Sleep in a convenient place (4) 

6. Global computer system (8) 

9. Group of singers (5) 

12. Basis of written language (8) 

14. Wooden structure consisting of an 

upright post with a transverse piece (5) 

15. Twist and press out of shape (7) 

18. Fodder harvested while green (6) 

19. Projecting edge of a roof (5) 

21. Woman of the peerage (4) 

23. Direction of the rising sun (4) 

Afternoon 

Tea At Three 

YOU ARE INVITED 

to Afternoon Tea & 

Entertainment at 

Markfield Methodist Church on 

Saturday, 9th March from 3.00 – 5.00 

p.m. Tickets are £10. 

Can we tempt you with the following menu? 

Assorted sandwiches, warm savouries, fresh 

cream and jam scones, cheese scones and 

chutney, various cakes and pastries, fruit compote 

and mousse. Prosecco (0%), tea and coffee 

w i l l b e s e r v e d & v e g a n o p t i o n s w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e . 

So come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon 

with delicious food and entertainment. 

Tickets can be obtained from Ian Barrs on 

07877 312142 who will also be able to give 

further advice about the menu. 

Their long-term business plan was to buy a building 

that could become a child bereavement community and 

offer counselling and support groups to families following 

the death of a child across Leicester, Leicestershire, and 

Rutland. In 2021 an investor had agreed to purchase a 

building to enable the charity to expand. When this fell 

through Donna, Nick and the Board of Trustees had to 

decide to accept this devasting news or to fight and launch 

a capital appeal to buy the building as a charity. 

Bodie’s House is an 11-room building with 6 therapy 

spaces, along with offices and meeting space for the 

charity. It is a safe place for families to come and talk 

about grief and their child or sibling. A place where they 

know that they will be listened to and supported. 

Donna, CEO says “When we are faced with challenges, 

we all have choices of how we can respond and as 

a charity we decided that Bodie’s House, located on 

Braunstone Lane was exactly the right place to grow our 

bereavement community. 

“We were supported by the landlord who gave us two 

years to raise £450,000. This was a huge risk for us as we 

are a small charity with only 4 members of staff when we 

launched the appeal. 

To find out more about their work and to get involved 

please visit www.bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk or 

contact Ruth Johnson, Fundraising and Communications 

Manager on ruth@bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk or call 

0116 243 6367. 

• GARMIN NUVI 2569 LMT-D 

Advanced Series SAT-NAV. Full 

Western Europe Maps, Car charger, 

House Charger, USB computer cable, 

dashboard suction cup holder, storage 

case and all instructions. Fully up to 

date, excellent condition. Price: £40 

Tel: 07971 173423 (Groby) 

• Bissell Clearview Reach CARPET 

WASHER - 220-240v - only used four 

times. Excellent condition. With user’s 

guide.Price: £60.00. 

Tel 01530 242054 (Markfield) 

• AQUARIUM/FISH TANK - Large 

bow front aquarium/fish tank with 

lid, heater and filter pump. Excellent 

condition £25.00 o.n.o. 

Tel: 07751 756742 (Thornton) 

• JIGSAWS for sale - 14 

1,000-piece priced at £1.50 each. 

Also 9 Wasgij priced at £2.00 each. 

Tel: 01530 242446 (Markfield) 

• RUGS - One floral pattern woollen 

circular 1m £10.00; Two fluffy bedside 

synthetic semicircular 1.4m £5.00 

each; One fluffy white/brown semisynthetic 

rectangular 1.46x0.86m 

£10.00; One fluffy white woollen 

Berber circular 1.5m £10.00 o.n.o 

• PLAIN MIRROR with MDF frame 

1.05x0.75m including frame. Price: 

£10.00 o.n.o. 

Tel: 07866 109206 (Groby) 

• 26 CLASSICAL COMPOSERS 

MAGAZINES - accompanied by their 

individual 26 CDs. Excellent condition. 

Price: £15.00 

Tel: 07467 949192 (Groby) 

SEND DETAILS by post or email 

- sorry, we can’t take them over 

the phone. Maximum EIGHT items 

please. No business ads. Our postal 

address is: Herald Small Ads, PO 

Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT 

or you can email details to: info@ 

markfieldherald.co.uk PLEASE 

ENSURE that you put ‘SMALL 

ADS’ in the subject line 

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10 


Cryptic Wedding 

Anniversaries 

from Sheila 

1. News, tissue or toilet? 

2. Can you understand this clue 

when sewing? 

3. Tanned hides 

4. Can’t see these for the trees 

5. Pressing laundry items 

6. Third on a podium 

7. Pull this over your eyes! 

8. Robert Peel’s man 

9. Ireland’s favourite jewel? 

10. Nick things to find the answer 

11. Go to Stoke on Trent to get 

this 

12. Jockeys & Judges wear them 

13. Piano’s traditional white keys 

14. Looking into the future with 

this bowl 

15. Don’t break these items in 

the East 

16. Girl with an earring 

17. These are forever! 

18. Sir Alan’s sweetener 

19. Olympic winner’s medal 

20. Wax or Murry 

2 words 

3 words 

Pictograms 

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commit fraud 

violin 

WORLD 

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GOOD 

MORNING 

HELLO 

THERE 

ANSWERS ON PAGE 22 

Markfield and 

Thornton Theatre 

Group Desperately 

Needs New Stars! 

ARE YOU READY to take 

the stage and be part of 

a vibrant community of 

performers? Markfield and 

Thornton Theatre Group 

(MTTG) invites you to join our 

dynamic ensemble, offering 

opportunities to act, direct, 

and contribute backstage. 

In recent times, many members have 

moved on to larger stages, opening the 

door for passionate individuals to join 

the group and shine in our community 

plays. 

The group urgently needs new 

members for the upcoming April and 

September productions. Both small 

and large roles are available depending 

on the level of involvement you would like. We’re seeking a variety of 

performers to join, be part of the excitement, and help keep the longstanding 

group thriving! 

New member Caylee Gutsell shares, “I love entertaining the local 

community and there’s a rich history to the group, it’s wonderful to be part 

of and contribute to its growth.” 

Why Join Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group? 

• Forge New Connections: Expand your social circle and connect with 

like-minded individuals who share your love for the arts. 

• Community Involvement: Contribute to the local community by 

bringing plays to life to provide memorable experiences. 

• Big Stage Moments: Get your moment in the spotlight by 

participating in our diverse productions. 

• Skill Development: Hone your acting and directing skills in a 

supportive environment. 

Ready to share your talent? Reach out to us at mttg.theatre@gmail.com 

with any questions or to express your interest. 

Our weekly meetings provide a nurturing environment for you to cultivate 

your passion and artistic skills. 

Wednesday Nights Are Your Stage: Join Us at Thornton Community 

Centre, 19:30. 

Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group welcomes all aspiring stars and 

hopes to meet you soon! 

Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group 

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11 

Visitors shed light on Leicester’s 

PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY 

MORE than 15,000 visitors have so 

far explored an exhibition blending 

archive photographs and paintings 

of Leicester in the first six weeks 

of its opening. 

The free exhibition – entitled Leicester 

Vistas – is the result of painstaking work by 

volunteers from Leicester Museums and 

Galleries to catalogue and showcase images 

from over 175,000 archive photographs and 

30,000 packets of negatives dating from the 

1930s to the present day. 

Visitors, who can contribute information to digital labels located around 

the exhibition, have even helped solve some of the mysteries around 

images from Leicester’s past. 

One of the main images on show – a photo of the city’s industrial skyline 

which is paired with a painting of the same view by artist Norman Ernest 

Ellis – has now been identified as the view from the roof of the Colleges of 

Art and Technology, near the present-day site of De Montfort University, in 

January 1954. 

Another local visitor has been provided with a copy of an archive image 

in which their family appear, with the digital labels proving to be a valuable 

source of gathering local knowledge and information on the images. 

The fine art collection has been built up over the last 140 years and is still 

growing thanks to a combination of donations and the support of the City of 

Leicester Museums Trust. Recently acquired works by artists Robert King, 

Olwyn Hughes and Rigby Graham will be featured for the first time in this 

new exhibition. 

Leicester Vistas is free to explore, along with the rest of the museum. 

It runs at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk, until Sunday, 

March 10, 2024. More information on exploring Leicester’s 2,000-year 

history is available at the Story Of Leicester website here: facebook.com/ 

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12 

The Herald 

PO Box 8, Markfield, 

Leics. LE67 9ZT 

Tel: 01530 244069 

info@markfieldherald.co.uk 

www.markfieldherald.co.uk 

The Herald is a monthly local 

magazine delivered free to 

approximately 4,000 homes and 

businesses in Markfield, Field 

Head, Stanton under Bardon, 

Thornton and Bagworth. 

Contact Mike Wilkinson with 

your articles, news items or 

advertising enquiries. 

Printed by Norwood Press in 

Ellistown. 

The opinions expressed by 

contributors are not necessarily 

those of the Herald Production 

Team. The inclusion of any 

group or organisation in this 

publication does not necessarily 

imply a recommendation of 

its aims, methods or policies. 

The Herald cannot be held 

responsible for the information 

disclosed by advertisements, all 

of which are accepted in good 

faith. 

Every effort is made to ensure 

the accuracy of information in 

this magazine, but no liability 

can be accepted for loss or 

inconvenience caused as a 

result of error or omission. 

The Herald reserves the right 

to amend, shorten or refuse 

to publish articles and/or 

advertisements submitted for 

publication. 

All contents © The Herald. 

None of the articles or adverts 

contained in this magazine are 

to be reproduced in any way 

without first obtaining written 

consent from The Herald. 


BOROUGH CELEBRATES 

ITS ACTIVE HEROES 

THE HINCKLEY and Bosworth Sports and Health Alliance 

Awards celebrated local active heroes at their recent 

awards ceremony, held at Hinckley Rugby Club. 

The awards, which recognise the impact that sport and keeping active 

can make to the lives of residents across the borough, were presented by 

Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Bools. 

Among this year’s award winners were: 

SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR (PRIMARY): 

MERCENFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL, MARKFIELD 

The year 5/6 Dodgeball team have trained and played in all weathers and 

made the final in the British Primary School Dodgeball Championships and 

unfortunately lost in sudden death. Their dedication is remarkable. 

SCHOOL WELLBEING AWARD: 

BROOKVALE, GROBY 

The staff are very proactive in terms of what they do to support students 

with their mental health wellbeing and is a high priority across the school. 

Positivity Ambassadors lead a Wellbeing Wednesday group, there is a 

Buddy/Mentor system and students can drop into any of the pastoral rooms 

to receive support. Students also have access to one-to-one counselling 

from a team of Emotional Literacy Support Assistants, pastoral team, 

and year heads. They also run a weekly mindfulness group for sixth form 

students, host a LGBTQ+ club and students can benefit from a range of 

mental health workshops and health school roadshows led by external 

organisations. This school is a wonderful example of best practice. 

Award winners (who were able to attend on the night) pictured 

with Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Bools. 

Trinity Methodist 

Church Markfield 

SERVICES & INFORMATION 

www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org 

FB: Markfield Methodist Church 

Sunday 18th February 

CTiM United Service 

10.30 a.m. Morning worship at 

St.Michael’s Church 

Sunday 25th February 

10.30 a.m. Morning worship 

6.00 p.m. Taize Prayer with songs & 

silence 

Friday 1st March 

World Day of Prayer 

2.00 p.m. Service 

Sunday 3rd March 


Sunday 10th March 

Mothering Sunday 


Sunday 17th March 

Passion Sunday: 4.00 p.m. Service 

Music Cafe 

Thursday 22nd February, 

Thursday 14th March 2.00 - 4.00 

Don’t be on your own - have a 

change of scene & join us for a 

music-based afternoon of friendship, 

fun & a good chat over refreshments 

on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the 

month. For more information please 

contact Linda on 01530 242607. 

“Come for a Cuppa” 

in a Warm Place 

Every Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 

Please note that these new times will 

apply until the end of March. 

Keep warm and meet each other on 

Wednesday mornings. There is no 

charge for the refreshments & “Ian’s 

treats” are delicious! You can borrow 

a book & swap a jig-saw. Just come 

through the main church building and 

you’ll find us in the back room. 

World Day Of Prayer 

Friday 1st March 

2.00 p.m. Service followed by 

refreshments. 

Afternoon Tea at Three 


A relaxing afternoon to enjoy 

delicious food - plus entertainment. 

We invite you to join 

us for Sunday worship 

& at all our regular 

meetings & events. 

You will be made most 

welcome. Please go to 

our website for much 

more information. 

I was once stood up by a policeman. But I was so drunk I fell straight back down again.


13 

DRAMATIC 

DECLINE of 

religion on TV 

THERE IS LESS television 

being devoted to religion 

and ethics than there 

used to be. A lot less. 

The latest statistics from 

Ofcom, the industry regulator 

reveal a dramatic reduction in 

television programmes about 

‘religion and ethics’ broadcast by 

the public-service broadcasting 

networks (PSBs): BBC, ITV, 

Channel 4 and Channel 5. 

Comparing 2022 with 2011, 

peak time hours of ‘first-run’ 

UK origination output fell by 

85 per cent; while peak-time 

hours of ‘all origin’ output (that 

is, including bought-in material) 

fell by 76 per cent. Channel 4 

dropped from being the most 

prolific network to providing no 

output at all; and the BBC output 

fell by 65 per cent. 

Roger Bolton, a former 

BBC and ITV executive and 

independent producer, wrote 

recently in the Church Times: 

“All this has happened without a 

peep from Ofcom or the boards 

of the PSBs, who are supposed 

to protect the public interest. 

There have been no peeps, 

either, from religious leaders. 

They seem to be asleep, or 

preoccupied with their own 

internal issues, unaware of this 

wanton destruction.” 

“In my opinion, television 

commissioners … underestimate 

the power of religion and the 

continuing interest in it. They 

also seem to forget that people 

are moral creatures, often keen 

to do the right thing, but wishing 

to discuss and debate what that 

is.” 

(From Church Times, 19th Jan 

2024, p14) 

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14 


Markfield Community Association News 

From Ron & Dawn Grantham 07885 243033 or 07904 222552 

Mayflower Club 

I HAVE to say that the January 

weather was rather stormy with high 

winds and rain but this did not deter 

our intrepid members from coming 

along to our club sessions. 

It just shows how important these sessions are 

to them and they really look forward to getting 

out of the house and socialising. 

So, what did we put on for them in January. 

ORIGINS OF SURNAMES 

We kicked off the new year by exploring the 

origins of surnames. We take surnames for 

granted without realising their origins and why 

they came about. We had a look at some of 

the old Markfield family surnames listed in the 

1861 Census and the list of surnames of those 

villagers who sadly lost their lives during both 

World Wars. 

Many of these families and their descendants 

still live here in the village. We then explored 

the origins of members surnames and that 

was quite revealing. Why don’t you explore 

your own surname. It’s really quite easy to 

do. Just google origins of your surname and 

it pops up with facts and suggestions as to its 

origin. It’s your heritage and you could even 

tell your children, grandchildren and even great 

grandchildren some of their ancestry. 

We chilled out on the 17th January with a prize 

bingo session which is always a firm favourite. 

BURNS NIGHT 

The 24th January was a much more “raucous” 

affair as we celebrated “Burn’s Night” with a 

traditional Scottish Burns Supper. 

Prior to sitting down to eat one of our “Scottish” 

contingent - Donna Moffett - marched in with 

the steaming haggis and proudly presented it to 

another Scottish descendant, Pat McLaughlin. 

Pat addressed the Haggis and dramatically 

stabbed the steaming haggis in true Robbie 

Burns style before toasting it with a small 

dram of Scots Whisky. The supper included 

the traditional favourites of Haggis (sausages 

for the faint hearted), Scottish savoury 

mince, tatties and neeps followed by Scottish 

shortcake. It was washed down with a tot of 

whisky or IRN BRU. With Scottish music in 

the background, we then had a Scottish Trivia 

Quiz. I have to say that our English Sassenachs 

did really well and I was impressed by their 

knowledge of Scotland. 

SOCIAL PRESCRIBER LINK WORKERS 

On the 31st January Clare and Abby came 

along to give a very interesting and informative 

talk on their work as Social Prescriber Link 

Workers for our area. 

I bet that not many people know what they do 

and how they can help you. Briefly, they are 

employed through the NHS and work with local 

medical practices to connect people to 

activities, groups, and services in their 

community to meet the practical, social 

and emotional needs that affect their 

health and wellbeing. 

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS 

Here are some of the events we have in 

place for the coming weeks: 

Saint Valentines and Pancake Day, 11th 

Anniversary Party, Leap Year, Saint 

David’s Day, “Where there’s muck there’s 

brass challenge, Saint Patrick, Easter 

Bonnet and Egg Hunt, Play Your Cards 

Right, Prize Bingo, Beetle Drive and 

Saint George Pub Quiz. 

Arts and Crafts Crochet 

Club 

IT’S LOVELY to see this group 

growing and growing with new 

members. 

What an industrious and happy group 

they are. Currently they are busy 

making crochet hand bags, purses and 

other beautiful items. Some of our new 

members had never learnt to crochet 

before but our very patient instructor Jayne is 

leading them through the processes starting 

with a simple square. From little squares a 

blanket will grow! So, if you if you are looking 

for a new hobby that takes you away from the 

tele and boredom come along and give it a try. 

Materials are provided for you. 

Place and Times 

THE MAYFLOWER CLUB sessions 

are held at the Congregational 

Community Church rooms on Main 

Street, Markfield. 

Our Friendship Club and Arts and Crafts 

group meet Monday afternoons with our 

main Mayflower Club session being held on 

Wednesday afternoons. All sessions are from 

2pm to 4pm and only cost £2.50p per session 

with a cuppa and light refreshments thrown in. 

Don’t be shy - Just turn up on the day 

Markfield Good Neighbours 

Scheme 

DO YOU REMEMBER this poster 

displayed all around the village 

during the pandemic? 

Well, the scheme is still here with our 

volunteers ready to help and support you. 

Just give us a call on 078845 243033 if you ned 

any help or support. 

Ron and Dawn Grantham 

Markfield Community Association 

~ ADVERTISING RATES IN THE HERALD ~ 

Call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 to book or email: info@markfieldherald.co.uk 

Advert Size (Portion of the A4 page) Advert Dimensions in Millimetres Width x Height Price per Insertion (EACH MONTH) 

Sixteenth of a Page 45mm wide x 65mm high £20.00 plus VAT 

Twelfth of a Page 95mm wide x 41mm high £28.00 plus VAT 

Eighth of a Page 95mm wide x 65mm high £40.00 plus VAT 

Sixth of a Page 95mm wide by 87mm high £50.00 plus VAT 

Quarter of a Page 95mm wide x 130mm high £65.00 plus VAT 

Half of a Page 194mm wide x 130mm high £120.00 plus VAT 

Full Page (A4) 194m wide x 268mm high £190.00 plus VAT 

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If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s tripods with one leg missing.


15 

Dowding Solicitors Limited 

We offer a personal friendly 

service locally for all your legal 

requirements. 

• Wills 

• Lasting Power of Attorney 

• Administration of Estate 

(Probate) 

• Residential Sales and Purchase 

• Free Quotation 

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Now at THE OLD RECTORY, 

MAIN STREET, GLENFIELD LE3 8DG 

Call today on 0116 232 5136 

or email: kathryn@dowdingsolicitors.co.uk 

Clear Out Sale in Thornton (with bacon cobs) 

24th February 2024 - 11 am until 2 pm - Thornton Community Centre. 

Come and make some money selling those bits and pieces you once loved but 

now need new homes, or gifts for which you have no further need. 

Come along on the day to pick up a bargain. 50p to enter. Enjoy games, bacon 

and sausage cobs, cheese rolls, hot drinks and much more. 

To book a table, (6 foot for £5) email churchwarden.thornton@gmail.com 

or phone 01530 230422. 

Please don’t wait; book as soon as possible! 

See you there! The Friends of St Peter’s fundraising group (Thornton) 

CATHOLIC CHURCHES 

OF ST WILFRID OF 

YORK AND HOLY 

CROSS 

53 London Road, Coalville, 

LE67 3JB – 01530 832098 

SUNDAY MASSES: 

Saturday 6 pm – Holy Cross 

Church Whitwick* 

Sunday 9 am – Holy Cross 

Church, Whitwick* 

Sunday 10.30 am - St Wilfrid’s 

Church, Coalville 

* Holy Cross Church, 

Parsonwood Hill, Whitwick, 

LE67 5AT. 

WEEKDAY MASSES: 

Monday 10 am – St Wilfrid’s 

Parish** 

Tuesday – No Mass 

Wednesday 10 am – Holy Cross 

Church 

Please see the Newsletter on 

the Parish website for more 

details. 

** St Wilfrid’s weekday Masses 

are held in the Oratory. Please 

access via the front door of the 

Presbytery, beside the Church. 

If you need a priest: please 

contact our Parish Priest, Fr 

Gabriel Offor on 01530 832098 

or email www.stwilfspriest@ 

gmail.com. 

PARISH WEBSITE: 

www.stwilfscoalville.blogspot. 

co.uk. 

SACRAMENT OF 

RECONCILIATION: 

You can book an appointment 

with Fr Gabriel - 01530 832098. 

SCHOOL DETAILS: 

St Clare’s RC Primary School, 

Coalville: 01530 837747 www. 

st-clares.leics.sch.uk 

De Lisle RC College, 

Loughborough: 01509 268739 

www.delisle.leics.sch.uk 

Holy Cross School, Whitwick: 

01530 832 799 www. 

holycrosswhitwick.co.uk 

Village Contact: 

Margaret on 

01530 243292 

Wise Words 

He who is of calm and happy 

nature will hardly feel the 

pressure of age. 

According to the Ancient Greek 

philosopher Plato, being a calm 

and happy person will keep you 

feeling young. Now if that’s not 

an incentive... 

The human body has 7 trillion nerves and some people manage to get on every single one of them.

16 


LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL BUDGET 

Bridging the gap crucial as 

budget challenges continue 

SIGNIFICANT investment 

to cover growing costs 

and service demand, 

wide-ranging savings and 

a Council Tax increase 

all feature in an updated 

budget plan, as councils 

across the country face 

unprecedented challenges. 

Leicestershire County Council’s 

latest proposals set out investing 

£129m more to meet growing 

demand, mainly in social care, and 

an extra £113m to cover inflation 

and the National Living Wage 

increase. 

They propose balancing the books 

next year using £6m of reserves 

– the first time this has been 

required - and forecast a budget 

gap of £83m by 2028 after planned 

savings. 

A three per cent Council Tax 

increase for core services - and a 

two per cent increase in the adult 

social care precept – generating 

in total £18m more for front line 

services - is planned from April. 

Scaling back waste site closures, 

subject to consultation, is also 

included in the draft strategy 

which has been updated to reflect 

the extra Government funding 

announced last week. 

Council leader, Nick Rushton, 

said: “It’s good news that the 

Government has listened to 

local government’s very real 

and pressing concerns, and we 

welcome the extra funding. 

“It halves the reserves we need 

to use to balance the books next 

year. But it’s far from a sustainable 

solution and does nothing to help 

with the budget shortfall in later 

years. 

“We remain a well-run council 

and have saved £262m since 2010 

- but spiralling costs and service 

demands mean this is still the 

toughest budget we’ve ever faced.” 

In February, residents are set 

to be asked for their views on 

proposals to use an extra £100k 

to keep Shepshed waste site 

open two days a week and Market 

Harborough and Kibworth open 

seven days a week between the 

two sites. 

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet 

member for waste, added: “Despite 

these challenges, we’ve listened 

and responded to people’s 

concerns – we’ve heard just how 

important waste sites are for our 

residents and are proposing to 

scale back plans and keep the 

Market Harborough and Shepshed 

sites open part time.” 

Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet 

member for resources, said: “We 

recognise that the Government 

is facing big financial pressures 

- but there are national changes 

that could provide much-needed 

support to councils outside of local 

government funding reform. 

“Our focus is on delivering the 

best services we can. Major 

redesigns are already in progress 

but we now need to go even 

further and identify other options 

for bridging the longer term £83m 

budget gap.” 

The four-year budget plan 

includes: 

• A £6m budget shortfall next 

year – rising to £33m in 2026, 

£60m in 2027 and £83m in 2028 

• £127m more mainly to 

support vulnerable people – to 

pay for more home and residential 

care, and support people with 

physical disabilities, learning 

disabilities and mental health 

needs 

• An extra £113m - to cover 

inflation and the National Living 

Wage increase 

• Major redesigns of services 

to manage future demand, 

including: 

- Special educational needs 

and disabilities - a new approach 

balancing growing demand for 

support with getting children the 

right help 

- Working with Barnardo’s to run 

children’s homes locally 

- Boosting ‘supported living’ - over 

100 new placements created since 

2020, enabling people with learning 

and physical disabilities and mental 

health needs to learn life skills and 

live independently 

- Rolling out ‘care technology’ 

- over 2,600 pieces of equipment, 

including falls detectors and GPS 

location trackers, installed over last 

year, benefiting over 1,000 people 

• £39m of savings – including 

redesigning services, reducing the 

cost of back-office support services 

by maximising digital technology 

and smarter procurement 

• An extra £400k to help the 

council do more to tackle 

flooding - after 500 homes flooded 

across the county in the wake of 

Storm Henk in the New Year 

• £2.7m money to maintain 

roads and fix potholes - including 

£2.2m of Government ‘Network 

North’ money 

• A £445m four-year capital pot – 

including £18m to improve bridges, 

roll out flood alleviation projects and 

improve road surfaces. 

Spot the difference! 

I’ll burn off all this excess fat when I get cremated. 

There are 10 differences between the two 

images below. How many can you spot? 

There are 10 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot? 

ANSWERS ON PAGE 22 

Turning down a 

social invitation 

SEVENTY-SEVEN per cent 

of us have accepted an 

invitation to an activity 

that we did not want to 

attend. 

But according to recent research 

at West Virginia University, we 

may be over-estimating the anger 

and disappointment we will cause 

if we say no. 

As one researcher confessed: 

“I was once invited to an event 

that I absolutely did not want to 

attend, but I attended anyway 

because I was nervous that the 

person who invited me would be 

upset if I did not, and that appears 

to be a common experience. 

Our research shows, however, 

that the negative ramifications of 

saying no are much less severe 

than we expect.” 

The recent study found that, 

as long as the person who 

refuses the invitation provides a 

reasonable explanation, then any 

anger or disappointment is greatly 

reduced. That is good news to 

those of us who are struggling 

to cope with the commitments 

and events we already have at 

present. 

As one doctor said, “Burnout 

is a real thing… don’t be afraid 

to turn down invitations here 

and there. But keep in mind that 

spending time with others is how 

relationships develop, so don’t 

decline every invitation.” 

www.nickgowman.com 

www.nickgowman.com


Time for the Great 

Daffodil Appeal 

THE MONTH of March brings 

us the Great Daffodil 

Appeal. This annual 

campaign is a fundraising 

initiative by the Marie Curie 

charity, which provides care 

and support to people living 

with terminal illnesses and their 

families. 

The Great Daffodil Appeal says: “Right 

now one in four people don’t get the care 

they need at the end of life. With your 

support, we can help bring end of life 

care and support to everyone who needs 

it, in their homes and in our hospices.” 

Here are some ways to participate: 

• Purchase a Daffodil Pin: And wear 

it as a symbol of support. 

• Organise or Attend Fundraising 

Events: Many events, such as 

charity walks, bake sales, and 

concerts, are organised to raise 

funds during the appeal. 

• Donate Online: Visit the Marie 

Curie website to make a donation 

online, which goes directly to 

providing care for those in need. 

• Volunteer Your Time: to help with 

various activities during the appeal. 

• Spread Awareness: Use social 

media to encourage others to get 

involved and donate. 

The Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 

was established to honour the memory 

of Marie Curie, a pioneering scientist 

known for her work on radioactivity, as 

well as her dedication to providing care 

to those with cancer. The daffodil, a 

symbol of renewal and hope, was chosen 

to represent the campaign’s message 

of support and care for individuals with 

terminal illnesses. 

https://www.mariecurie.org. 

uk/daffodil 

Minister’s Pause 

for Thought 

From Delia Geary, Associate Minister for 

the J22 Group of Churches 

AS I’M WRITING 

THIS, we’re just 

coming to the end 

of a really cold 

spell which itself 

followed a period 

of non-stop 

torrential rain. 

This led to various 

areas flooding 

with devastating 

consequences for 

the inhabitants, farms 

and animals. It was 

all over the media 

for a while; people 

and animals being 

rescued, the muddy 

interiors and wreckage 

of peoples homes 

and the destruction of 

memories. Inevitably it fades from the media but the need for help 

continues. 

What impresses and moves me is how people come together in 

situations like this; initiatives to help with the clear up, provision of 

food, drink and shelter. It was the same during the pandemic wasn’t 

it? Many made an effort to contact others, check on neighbours, 

share shopping efforts amongst others. 

One of the main tenets of the Christian faith is to love our 

neighbours as ourselves. Let us commit to showing our love to 

our neighbours, no matter what the circumstances and in times of 

plenty as well as need. 

17 

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Paper Cut: A tree’s final moment of revenge.

18 


Sign proved to be ineffective! 

Markfield WI NEWS 

Lynda Owen reports 

IN DECEMBER the WI decorated a tree for the Methodist 

Church Tree Festival with the theme of Hark the Herald 

Angels Sing. 

Angels for the tree were made by members with some very impressive 

efforts. Keeping up the Christmas feeling our final meeting of 2023 was 

a Christmas party complete with a pass the parcel Secret Santa which 

everyone seemed to enjoy. 

We started 2024 

with a talk by 

Sue Drage on 

Recycling with a 

Difference. Sue 

brought along 

samples of items 

she had made 

from recycled 

materials including 

plastic (bags and 

cushions made 

from knitted plastic 

bags), paper (book 

art and greetings 

cards) and metal 

(a nice line in 

paperclip earrings) 

and many other 

things. It was a 

very interesting 

evening. 

Sue Drage spoke about Recycling with a Difference 

PERHAPS THE sign should be lower so the dog can see it, 

as clearly the owners can’t be bothered to read it! 

There is also a dog bin about 10 feet away! 

We did pick this up as any responsible dog owner should do. 

Markfield Resident 

Book News SNIPPETS 

• A new adaptation of David Nicholls’ One Day is coming to Netflix, 

with all 14 episodes launching on 8 February. 

• Way Back, the second novel by the broadcaster and author Sara 

Cox, is published in March. 

• Prince Harry’s autobiography, 

Spare, was the bestselling book on 

Amazon in 2023. 

• Whilst Gruffalo creator, Julia 

Donaldson, was named the UK’s 

bestselling author for the fourth 

year in a row. 

• James Patterson has co-authored 

a standalone novel with the late 

author and film-maker Michael 

Crichton, 15 years after Crichton’s 

death. 

Eruption, due out in June, is based 

on Crichton’s unfinished “passion 

project” which his wife discovered 

after his death and asked 

Patterson to complete. 

From Leicester Libraries Book News 

• THE SPEAKER at our February meeting will 

be Geoff Harris with tales of his career as a 

Toastmaster. 

The competition is an interesting wine glass. 

People write ‘Congrats’ because they can’t spell congrajlashins.


19 

The story of aspirin 

YOU WILL probably have taken aspirin, 

in one form or other, many times. But 

how much do you know of its history? 

It was 125 years ago this month, on 6th March 1899 that 

the German pharmaceutical company Bayer first patented 

aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). 

But this is based on salicylic acid, which was used in 

herbal medicines as far back as Sumerian times, in 2500 

BC. It was then that the Assyrians used willow leaves for 

rheumatic disease. The Egyptians also used willow leaves, as well as myrtle, 

to ease joint pain or inflammation. 

In Greece, Hippocrates (460-377 BC) recommended an extract of willow bark 

for fever, pain and childbirth. And even the peoples of ancient China, Rome, 

and Native America all discovered and used plants containing salicylic acid. 

Fast forward to Chaucer’s 14th century, and the Knight’s Tale recommends 

the use of meadow sweet for pain, another source of acetylsalicylic acid. 

In 1763, some science was introduced, when an English clergyman, the Revd 

Edward Stone, used willow bark to successfully treat fever ‘ague’ in 50 of his 

parishioners. He carefully documented it all for the President of the Royal 

Society. 

In 1828, Johann Andreas Buchner, a Professor of Pharmacology at the 

University of Munich, purified salicin from willow bark. 

In 1859, Professor Hermann Kolbe, at Marburg University worked out the 

chemical structure of salicylic acid and made it synthetically. 

In 1897, Dr Felix Hoffman, a German chemist at Friedrich Bayer and Co, 

managed to produce pure stable acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). His discovery was 

the first time that a drug had been made synthetically, and so it was the birth of 

both aspirin and the pharmaceutical industry. 

Finally, in early 1899 the new compound was named and registered Aspirin. 

The ‘A’ comes from acetyl and ‘spir’ from the first part of Spirea ulmaria 

(Meadowsweet) a botanical source of salicylic acid. 

So next time you take an aspirin, think of the Assyrians chewing willow leaves, 

4,000 years ago. 

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Well, another day has passed and I didn’t use algebra.

20 


My dear late Aunt, Ida Kathleen 

Smith and my dear Uncle, Owen 

Kenneth Smith (known as Ken) 

KEN WAS 

born 6th 

February 

1925 at 

18 The 

Avenue, 

Glenfield. 

He was 

the son of 

Fredrick 

and Jane 

Smith and 

was one of 

10 siblings. 

Ida was born 

15th January 

1934 to 

parents George 

and Alice 

Mugglestone in 

Bagworth, Leicestershire. Ida worked all her life at The Precision Rubbers 

factory in Bagworth and Ken first worked with his father as a shoe maker 

before later being a conductor on the very local and famous Barton’s 

Buses. His route took him from Glenfield into the city of Leicester regularly 

and he was well known amongst the locals that used these services. They 

were married in April 1973 at St Peter’s Church in Thornton, Leicestershire 

and then made their home at 18 The Avenue, Glenfield. In their later years 

they enjoyed regular holidays with Glenfield Travel especially the coach 

holidays where my Aunt will be especially remembered for her tenacity and 

love of life! 

In her later years my Aunts health deteriorated and this is when she was 

supported and cared for by many Health care professionals at the Glenfield 

Surgery. She passed peacefully away 1st May 2012 . My Uncle found it 

very challenging with life with out her but took comfort in the support of 

his family, friends and good neighbours . He enjoyed his weekly visit to 

the local Glenfield CO OP and spent his time on his garden which he loved. 

During the pandemic he found it particularly hard not being able to get 

out and about and it was at this time his health deteriorated at the age of 

95. He sadly peacefully passed away 2nd July 2020 at his home, 18 The 

Avenue Glenfield surrounded by family and dear friends. It was his final 

wish to pass away in the house he was born in so along with dear friends 

and neighbours this was made possible. His small funeral possession 

proudly left from his home and took him to his final resting place where he 

joined his love, Ida in eternal rest. 

Both my Aunt and Uncle loved their life in Glenfield and especially my 

Uncle who had lived and worked there all his life. It was so fitting that on 

executing their Wills an amount of their savings had been left to be shared 

with the Glenfield Surgery to support and enhance their valuable work that 

would in turn be shared with all the people of Glenfield, a place that was 

so close to their hearts. 

Through this legacy a small piece of them both remains as bright and 

shining as they ever were, the money has been used to truly support the 

patients of the surgery in helping to install a lift so greatly needed. We 

hope this will be a huge benefit for all patients and staff of the surgery and 

the whole of the Glenfield community. 

Deborah Spiers 

LETTER 

A memory for The Herald 

THANKS FOR the 

memories Mike! How 

clever of you last 

month to put a photo 

of an aged me next to 

one of Buddy Holly. 

It took time for Rock and 

Roll to catch on in Britain. In 

1956 Bill Haley starred in a 

short film called Rock around 

the Clock, which I recall 

seeing with friends at the 

Palace Cinema, Union Street, 

Sheffield. I have no idea what 

film topped the bill, Rock 

around the Clock was a B film 

which came on first and we 

hardly noticed it. Just weeks 

later across the country 

teenagers were running wild 

and towns and cities were 

refusing to show the film. 

By 1957 I was at school 

in Berkshire and we all had 

our favourite American Rock Bill Haley with Alix Talton 

stars, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, 

Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Everly 

Brothers, Duane Eddy and others, mine was Buddy Holly. None of them 

were played on BBC Wireless, the only pop station was Radio Luxemburg, 

but the reception was dire. Then a friend 

topped the popularity poll by arriving with a 

large powerful radio, and we all clustered 

round. 

Next came Dansette Record Players, and 

45s, Eps and Lps, which I played almost 

to destruction, I still have almost all he 

and much that many of the other greats 

recorded. While my Cassette tapes are 

rotting away, the CDs of Buddy and the rest 

just don’t quite carry the memories. 

For a while we had our own Stars, Adam 

Faith, Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde, and 

Cliff’s early hits, and then suddenly the 

Beatles, the Stones and the rest ruled the 

pop world. At a stroke aged twenty we had 

become old buffers watching our Rock 

A Dansette record player 

heroes fade and die, our hair and sideboards growing ever longer! 

By the way I don’t want to be told that my Bill Haley memory might be 

wrong! 

Robert, Markfield. 

Who were your musical favourites when you were 

a teenager? Do you have happy memories of 

listening to Radio Luxembourg on your transistor 

radio? Tell us about it! Email your reminiscences 

to: info@markfieldherald.co.uk 

It’s a shame nothing is built in the UK anymore. I just bought a TV and it said ‘Built in antenna’.


News from Markfield 

Congregational 

Community Church 

JANUARY seems to have gone very quickly this year and we 

as a community church try to host one event each month. 

On 27th January we hosted Burns Night, serving 38 people with traditional Burns 

Night fayre and Ceremony, including haggis and the trimmings, whiskey, cranachan all 

prepared and presented by our minister the Rev Rob a proud Scot supported by friends 

of the church. 

Saturday 10th February we are planning ours Flicks In The Sticks film presentation 

4.00 for 4.30pm and as this just happens to be Chinese New Year, the film will be 

followed a Chinese meal from Ma’s cuisine talk to Angela about your tickets which will 

be £10.00 per person. 

March Saturday 30th 10 till 12.00 there is a coffee morning with a raffle. 

April Saturday 20th 7.00 for 7.30 back by popular demand Annie Duggan and her 

fabulous guitarist Rob Hines. 

Tickets £10 including raffle. Bring your own drinks. 

The building is being regularly used by various people and groups. 

Monday Mayflower Club followed by Slimming World. 

Tuesday Brew About You Warm Space coffee morning with a light lunch at 12-00. 

Wednesday Mayflower Club followed by an exercise class with Leigh Mason. 

Patients Participation Group Markfield Surgery and our Catholic Community 

occasionally use our premises for meetings. 

Every morning Mark our local paper man sorts his papers to deliver around the village. 

Anyone wanting papers delivered can ring Mark 07917 118855. 

Sunday is the day when we are a church again with services being shared between 

our Minister Rev Rob Hunter and guest speakers. 

Everyone is welcome. For more information, please ring Angela Berry on 01530 

242578 or 07971 254165. 

21 

Deadline 

approaching for 

groups wanting to 

run holiday clubs 

ORGANISATIONS keen on running holiday clubs 

for children and young people Leicestershire 

this summer need to apply by noon on Tuesday, 

February 13. 

Funding is available for Leicestershire schools, charity, 

voluntary and community sector organisations, and other outof-school 

and 

holiday activity 

providers, 

to deliver 

‘Leicestershire 

Holidays 

Together’ HAF 

clubs. 

HAF holiday 

club places are free for school aged children who receive 

benefits related free school meals and provide fun activities, 

nutritious meals and a safe space where young people can 

make new friends. 

Register an interest to run a club during Summer 2024 on 

the Active Together website.(https://www.active-together.org/ 

holidaystogetherproviders) 

Leicestershire County Council secured funding from the 

Department for Education funded Holiday Activities & Food 

(HAF) Programme to co-ordinate the clubs during the school 

holidays, in partnership with Active Together. 

0116 234 0548 

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Auto-correct made me say things I didn’t Nintendo.

22 

Cryptic WEDDING 

ANNIVERSARY 

answers 

1. Paper 

2. Cotton 

3. Leather 

4. Wood 

5. Iron 

6. Bronze 

7. Wool 

8. Copper 

9. Emerald 

10. Steel 

11. Pottery 

12. Silk 

13. Ivory 

14. Crystal 

15. China 

16. Pearl 

17. Diamond 

18. Sugar 

19. Gold 

20. Ruby 

spot the difference 

ANSWERS 

1. Clouds missing, 2. Mum top 

different colour, 3. Juice in Dad 

glass different colour, 4. Boys 

watch missing, 5. Rocket on 

Dad’s top facing other way, 6. 

Flask missing, 7. Daffodil facing 

other way, 8. Baguette in hamper 

missing, 9. Boy’s glasses different 

colour, 10. Pizza toppings 

missing. 

CROSSWORD 

ANSWERS 

Across: 1 Bullet, 7 Icebound, 

8 Crèche, 10 Rasher, 11 Tarot, 

13 Meccano, 16 Sparrow, 17 

Boots, 20 Tablet, 22 Abseil, 24 

Gendarme, 25 Scythe. 

Down: 1 Bobcat, 2 Lace, 3 

Tiger, 4 Bearded, 5 Doss, 6 

Internet, 9 Choir, 12 Alphabet, 

14 Cross, 15 Contort, 18 

Silage, 19 Eaves, 21 Lady, 23 

East. 

PICTOGRAM ANSWERS 

1. Second Fiddle 

2. Whole Wide World 

3. Season’s Greetings 


Message from Dr Luke Evans MP 

At the start of January the 

Government’s 2pc tax cut 

to National Insurance – 

from 12pc to 10pc – came 

into force to ensure you 

keep more of what you 

earn and, by now, you’ll 

hopefully have seen that 

reflected in your paypackets. 

It’s a start. I’m pleased to see that 

wages are growing faster than 

inflation, which we can all agree is 

welcome news! 

Since the Government announced 

this tax cut, the criticism levelled in 

response is that the tax burden is 

the highest it’s been in 70 years. 

They’re right, the tax burden is too 

high. But simply stating this doesn’t 

acknowledge how we got here, 

nor does it take into account the 

challenge of inflation. 

In this month’s column, I wanted to 

address this… 

How we got here 

Less than four years ago the world 

was plunged into a pandemic. 

Overnight, children were told to 

learn online, workers didn’t return to 

their desks and pubs, restaurants, 

hairdressers and gyms shut their 

doors as we all stayed at home 

to protect one another. The cost 

of this, both financially and to the 

wellbeing of many people across 

our community, is still felt today. 

The Treasury estimates the overall 

cost of Covid-19 support to be 

around £370 billion. Then, as 

Covid-19 restrictions lifted, Russia 

began its illegal invasion of Ukraine 

and global energy prices hit the 

roof. The Cost of Living support 

packages that followed, including 

stepping in to pay around half of 

every household’s energy bills, cost 

£97 billion. 

To put these sums into perspective, 

the financial crash of 2008 cost 

£137bn and was followed by the 

deepest recession experienced 

in the United Kingdom, and much 

of the western world, since the 

Second World War. In 2019, ten 

years later, nearly 20% of this debt 

(£27bn) was still outstanding. 

There are many who thought 

Covid-19 lockdowns should 

have lasted longer or been more 

extensive and that energy support 

packages should have been 

greater. But, as Margaret Thatcher 

once said, “The Government have 

no money of their own. There 

is only taxpayer money.” The 

Government stepped in to ensure 

families, people’s jobs and their 

businesses were protected but this 

all comes with a resulting cost to 

the taxpayer. 

Tackling inflation 

Inflation in the UK is now down to 

4%. It’s been said “Inflation is the 

parent of unemployment and the 

unseen robber of those who have 

saved.” This is still double the Bank 

of England’s target of 2%, but is 

a real improvement on November 

2022 when inflation hit 11.1%, the 

highest in more than 40 years. 

However, this is not an issue which 

the UK is facing alone. The world 

is battling high inflation. Last year 

the Eurozone fell into recession as 

France and Germany shrunk, with 

Germany now expected to enter its 

first two-year recession in decades. 

We’ve done well to avoid this, with 

OECD data recently showing the 

UK economy has outperformed 

Germany, France, Spain and Italy 

since 2010. We’ve all faced the 

same challenges, the financial 

crash, Covid-19 and the cost of 

fighting a proxy-war, and while 

times have been difficult the UK has 

fared better than most. 

Inflation impacts everything, from 

your savings to your mortgage 

rates and monthly food prices. 

Ensuring inflation comes down 

before announcing any tax cuts, as 

the Prime Minister and Chancellor 

did last year, was absolutely the 

right thing to do. Slashing taxes 

too soon or giving in to way above 

inflation public sector pay demands 

would have caused inflation to bed 

in and meant that anything the 

Government gave with one hand, 

inflation would have swiftly taken 

with another. 

What does this mean 

for us locally? 

As I write this column I’ve not long 

come out of a meeting between the 

Chancellor and MPs from across 

the East Midlands, in which we 

discussed the priorities of people 

across our community. 

Among other issues, I raised 

funding for Special Educational 

Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

provision, changes in healthcare, 

support for businesses and our 

County Council which provides 

everything from education to 

social care. I welcome Michael 

Gove’s recent announcement of 

an additional £500m for Local 

Authorities with responsibility for 

adult and children’s social care. 

As ever, you can keep up-to-date 

on my work for our area by visiting 

www.drlukeevans.org.uk or if you 

have a casework or policy query 

you would like me to look into 

please email me at luke.evans. 

mp@parliament.uk. 

Dr Luke Evans MP 

Member of Parliament for 

Bosworth • House of Commons 

• London • SW1A 0AA 

email: luke.evans.mp@ 

parliament.uk 

web: drlukeevans.org.uk 

tel: constituency: 07920 619812 

tel: parliament: 0207 219 4250 

mobile: 07920 619812 

Facebook: drlukeevansmp 

instagram: drlukeevans 

The deadline for 

the Mid-March 

issue is Saturday 

2nd March. 

Don’t miss out! 

Enjoy this issue? 

Please pass it on to a friend or 

relative when you’ve finished 

with it. Thanks! 

Save the Earth - it’s the only planet with beer. 

Don’t forget to 

send us your 

news. 

Email: info@ 

markfieldherald. 

co.uk


23 


& Rutland 

Ordinary people doing 

extraordinary things 

Volunteer with us 

By volunteering for a few hours 

a week, you could help change 

someone’s life forever. 

We will train, mentor and 

support you all the way. 

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Markfield Methodist Church Recitals 

Friday 26 th April 7pm 

Piano Recital 

Renata Konyicska 

We are delighted to welcome back the wonderful Hungarian pianist Renata. 

For those that have been to her recitals before there is no need to tell you 

how amazing she is!! 

To anyone who hasn't been before, if you love classical piano music 

we are sure you will enjoy this recital. 

For further details please see our website 

Tickets: £12 (under-16s £6) 

Please book online via our website - Or call 07979 607099 

www.markfieldmethodistchurch.org 

Markfield Methodist Church 

Potatoes make French fries, crisps and vodka. It’s like the other vegetables aren’t even trying.

FEBRUARY 2024 HERALD online

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