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MAY 2024 HERALD online

The Herald is a free, monthly village magazine delivered to 4,000 homes and businesses in Markfield, Thornton, Bagworth, Stanton-under-Bardon and Field Head in Leicestershire, UK.

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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 />

• New Guttering • Wood Staining • Repointing<br />

• Ridge Tiles • Chimney Stacks • Roof Valley<br />

• Dry Verge • Flat Roofing • Dry Ridge • Lead Flashing<br />

• Moss Removal • Slate/Tile Roofing<br />

• UPVC Fascia, Soffits & Gutters<br />

FREE QUOTATION AND FREE EMERGENCY CALL OUT<br />

Proprietor: Elias Bell<br />

1 Maynard Close, Bagworth, LE67 1BU<br />

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 />

l<br />

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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LOCAL TAXI IN MARKFIELD<br />

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FOR A FRIENDLY RELIABLE SERVICE<br />

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I hired a landscape gardener, but he said he couldn’t help because my garden was portrait.


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 />

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& Improvements<br />

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No Job Too Small<br />

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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 />

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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 />

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BACK<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 />

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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 />

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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 />

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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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MAIN STREET, GLENFIELD LE3 8DG<br />

Call today on 0116 232 5136<br />

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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Don’t forget to<br />

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Email: info@<br />

markfieldherald.<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.

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