village connect, dec11/jan12 issue

Connect

Keeping the people of rural North East Leicestershire connectedwww.villageconnect.co.uk

December 2011/January 2012

Connect

PLUSDiary of events, gardening tipsand more

IN THIS ISSUETaking photos on the moveA walk from Burrough HillAn investigation into sleep problemsChristmas gift ideasLocal-interest Christmas readsPreventing winter fallsAn initiative to bring back local trading

village

village

Tel: 01664 424254Village Connect - page 2

Hello Readers

louise

From theeditor

Cover page photograph:Queniborough Main Street.© Joanne Withers

Welcome to our last issue of 2011 andthe first of 2012!

Our local businesses need supportmore than ever this Christmas, which iswhy we have devoted pages 6 and 7 toideas for gifts you can buy near to home.And don’t forget to check out the diaryfor local Christmas gift fairs.

Local shopping also features on page9, where we have news of an initiative toget back to buying homegrown/home-made produce within our communitiesrather than from the supermarkets.

If you don’t see winter as a barrier togetting out and enjoying the countryside,the New Year’s Eve guided walk fromBurrough Hill might appeal, or even theGaddesby Gallop just before Christmas,(see next page). On the other hand, ifyou feel less confident about gettingabout at this time of year, the freeexercise sessions offered by VoluntaryAid Melton (see page 8) might be justwhat you’re looking for.

At the end of the day, however activewe’ve been, we all need a good night’ssleep, but some of us don’t always get it!Read what Colette Stein has to say on thesubject on page 5.

Wishing you all a Fun Christmas and aHappy and Healthy New Year!

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Out & aboutwith a camera

Queniborough has offered me the chance to get some stunning images throughout theseasons I’ve lived here. My favourite place to walk the dog, and take the camera along, isthe Ridgemere (pictured above). I recommend taking this walk and heading back throughthe village with your camera. Take photographs of whatever catches your eye. Taking ashot every five minutes is a good way to look for new things that you may have neverspotted before. Go on the same walk in different seasons and, before you know it, you’llhave a year’s worth of images to put into your own personalised calendar.

I have a whole archive of images from the village and throughout the world, so if youlike the idea of having a bespoke photographic image on your wall, just get in touch.

by Joanne Withers, of Nine Photos

From February 2012 we will be making a few changes to the way we distribute VillageConnect. We will be reducing our door-to-door deliveries and making more magazinesavailable for readers to pick up across the region.

From the February/March 2012 issue, therefore, we will no longer be delivering byhand to homes in the following villages:

Ab Kettleby, Asfordby, Ashby Folville, Barkby, Chadwell, Eastwell, Goadby Marwood,Kirby Bellars, Nether Broughton, Old Dalby Queensway, Ratcliffe, Rotherby, Scalford,Twyford and Wycomb.

We will, however, be making plenty of magazines available in all the local (includingmobile) libraries. We will also be leaving them in more village halls, pubs, shops,hairdressers, leisure centres etc. Keep checking our website for full details, and if youown or know of a shop, café or other venue willing to hold copies, please let us know.

If you prefer to get the magazine through your door, we can send it to you for 75p perissue (to cover postage costs). To receive Village Connect by post, please complete theform below and send it with your cheque (payable to ‘Village Connect’) to: VillageConnect, 2 Brook House Close, Rearsby, Leics LE7 4YG. Alternatively, you can subscribefrom our website: www.villageconnect.co.uk/subscribe.html.

Important informationabout our distribution

www.ninephotos.co.uk : 0116 319 3258 : [email protected]

Village Connect - page 3www.villageconnect.co.uk

Lastwalk ofthe year

COMPUTERPROBLEMS

FIXED

Internet, Softwareand Hardware

Computer slow or won’t start?Internet not working? Broadband

network to set up? Lost data?Viruses & popups? Spam? etc

TUITIONHow to use internet & email, MSOffice, digital cameras, sat.nav.

ADVICEon buying, avoiding problems, internet

security

Dave Rowe Computing01664 85 95 05

Patient &professional help

at your home or business

REARSBYHorse and Groom Skittle AlleyWednesdays 5.30pm & 7.30pm

ConsultantHelen: 07949 [email protected]

Don’t miss the challenge!If you’re planning to take part in the popular Belvoir Challenge annual event on Saturday25 February, get your entry in early as last year it was fully subscribed by 31 December. Thechallenge sets out from Harby at 9am and offers walkers or runners a scenic 15 or 26 mileroute through the countryside of the Vale, with regular check point/refreshment stops.

For full details or to enter, visit www.belvoirchallenge.co.uk.

On Saturday 31 December, you can join a six-mile guided walk from Burrough Hill, oneof the most striking and historic features in the landscape of eastern Leicestershire. Theroute (which should take around three hours) goes to Somerby, and passes through somelovely rolling countryside, giving great views. Good boots are advisable as it might bemuddy, and dogs are allowed.

The walk starts at 10am from Burrough Hill Country Park (pay & display) car park onSomerby Road (LE14 2QZ). The cost is £2 per person (under 16s free), which you can payon the day, but booking is essential.

To book, call Leicestershire County Council on 0116 305 7655.

Burrough Hill is a well-preserved Iron Age hill fort crowning asteep-sided promontory of land reaching 210m (690 ft). As wellas the grassy hilltop, the country park has diverse wildlife habitatsand is a popular place for walking.

Countryside between Burrough on the Hill & Somerby, © Mat Fascione

The race is on again in GaddesbyAfter a break of several years, the Gaddesby Gallop is back on the running agenda thisyear. This 5.25 mile race will take place on Saturday 17 December starting at 11am fromthe village hall. Registration is from 10am. Participation costs £3.50, with prizes at 12.30pmat the village pub, The Cheney Arms, where hot drinks and cobs will be available.

For full details, call Jeff on 07826 566566/01664 840670 or Lance on 07966 015851/01664 840550.

THE CLOTHES HORSE LTDSyston Grange, Barkby Road, Syston

Tel: 0116 260 9801

Can’t make it to the shop? Visit us online at

www.theclotheshorse.co.uk

From fashionable country clothing topresents for your horse

From jewellery to hats & headbands, cuddlytoys to dog coats and much, much more!

Lots of well known brands stocked incHunter, Muck Boots, Cabbotswood & Toggi.

Open Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm &Sundays during December 10am - 3pm.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOREVERYONE


��

ReflexologyReiki

Crystal healingEmotional freedom technique

Bach flower remediesHopi ear candling

Stress management��

Patients of the County Practice in Systonare being invited to take part in a surveydesigned to collate their views. Thesurvey has been compiled by thepractice’s Patient Participation Group, avoluntary group working with thepractice team to enhance servicesoffered and represent patients’ views.

Copies of the survey will be availableat the surgery and an electronic versionwill be accessible on the practice website:www.countypracticesyston.nhs.uk.

All responses will be treated in thestrictest confidence but are essential toassist the PPG in agreeing an action planfor the way forward. It is important thatthe group hear from as many patients aspossible. So whatever your age, sex orethnicity, the group needs your input.Look out for the survey and have yoursay!

To contact the Patient ParticipationGroup, email [email protected], you can write to them atthe surgery.

Patients’ viewssought

What I learned about sleep

My interest in sleep, and the problemspeople can have with it, began when myhusband was having trouble sleeping butwas reluctant to take sleeping pills. In mysearch for a more natural solution, Idiscovered that hops release a naturalcompound which has a sedative effect. So,I decided to make him a hop pillow and thefirst night he used it he slept for 10 hours! (Ihave been making and selling hop andlavender pillows ever since.)

At the same time, in my work as a yogaand meditation teacher, I was comingacross people wanting to learn relaxationand breathing techniques to help themsleep. Keen to find a way to help them, I setabout looking for patterns in the causes ofsleep problems and researching techniquesthat might help to solve them. I then ranworkshops to put these ideas forward.

I’ve put the findings from my researchinto a booklet called ‘Sleep Well: A HolisticApproach to a Good Night’s Sleep’. In it, Ioutline what sleep is, give practical ideasfor a better night’s sleep, including how toestablish a better bedtime routine, andsuggest some simple relaxation and yogaexercises. I hope it will be of help to anyonewho suffers from any kind of sleep problem,big or small!

by Colette Stein, yoga and meditation teacher

From ‘Sleep Well: A Holistic Approach toa Good Night’s Sleep’ by Colette Stein(£4.50).

Available from The Melton Bookshop,Leicester Street, Melton or direct fromwww.originalherbalpillows.com.

“Sleep is a natural part of life and shouldbe savoured and appreciated. Byadopting natural, beneficial practices thatmake sleep even more special it makeslife richer and more fulfilling.”

“Until the 1950s, most people thoughtof sleep as a passive, dormant part ofour daily lives. We now know that ourbrains are very active during sleep.Moreover, sleep affects our dailyfunctioning and our physical and mentalhealth in many ways that we are justbeginning to understand.”

Colette teaches yoga in Goadby Marwood and Melton. She also runs yoga workshopsand retreats. To contact Colette, call 01664 464823.

Gift vouchersavailable

For further details or to book your appointmentvisit www.tranquil-therapies.co.uk

contact gill on 07787 175335or email [email protected]

Available from www.originalherbalpillows.comor visit Foxylots for the pillows, Melton Bookshop for the booklet,

both on Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray

The Art of Sleep A holistic approach toa good night’s sleep

... hand made in England withBritish flowers and a booklet

providing mindful, holistic advicefor those with sleep difficulties

Hop and lavenderpillows ...


Local artist exhibits workChris Clayton, anartist from BurtonLazars, will be exhi-biting his paintings atthe Coffee Shop & ArtGallery in WiltonRoad, Melton, from 5December to the endof the month.

“My paintings (pen & wash, water colourand pen & ink) depict the quintessentialnature of rural Britain”, he says. “Theycover the drama of our moors, our vastshorelines and the quirkiness of ourtowns and villages. They also embraceour native flora and fauna.”

Prices start at £30 and the coffeeshop and art gallery is open from 9am to4pm Monday to Saturday.

Chris undertakes commissions andcan be contacted on 07726 325339 orby email at [email protected].

Pictured: St James’ Church, Burton Lazars

Christmas shoppingon your doorstep

Whether they’re horsey or not ...The Clothes Horse at Barkby Grange in Syston (LE7 2AJ) has lots of great gift and stockingfiller ideas. Prices start at 99p for notepads and £1.90 for keyrings. There are mugs at £5,jewellery (earrings, necklaces etc) from £5, faux fur headbands at £13.75, boot liners from£10 and gloves from £1.99. Call 0116 260 9081 or visit www.theclotheshorse.co.uk.

Plants and more from BarkbyChurch View Nursery in Barkby will have plenty of plant-related gift ideas in the run up toChristmas. This year they also have a range of wooden items made by local resident JockBarnes. Jock makes all sorts from light pulls and door stops to dishes, bowls, candle holders,clocks and barmometers, with prices ranging from 60p for the light pulls to around £21.50 forthe clocks. The shop is open every day (mornings only Wednesday and Sunday).

Looking for something green?The Green Place in Sileby (LE12 7RS) stocks unusual gifts not often found on the highstreet, all with a local, fairtrade or recycled theme and prices to suit all budgets. Thewide range on offer includes: soft bamboo socks (£3.50 a pair); hand-poweredpenguin torches (£6); goblets made from old wine bottles (from £11.50 a pair);colourful blankets made from plastic bottles (£14.00); locally made cutlery windchimes (£20.00). And while you’re shopping, you can have a pot of fairtrade tea and cake infront of their log fire. Call 01509 815181 or visit www.completewasters.co.uk.

A few suggestions if you’re looking to buy locally this year ...

Hampers they’ll likeWicked Wickers, based in Burton Lazars, offers hampers to suit all tastes and occasions.Contents include many goods sourced from local businesses and your hamper can be madeto your own specification. Prices start at £15. You’ll find Wicked Wickers in Melton andGrantham town centres on alternate Saturdays. You can also place orders by phone on07852 817430, or email [email protected]. For more, visit www.wickedwickers.com.

Something to sleep onA hop or lavender pillow, handmade in Goadby Marwood, is the ideal gift for someonewith sleep problems. It’s designed to tuck inside the user’s pillowcase and releases naturalchemicals that aid sleep. The pillows cost £8.50 including 2nd class UK post fromwww.originalherbalpillows.com. Also available from Foxy Lots (Leicester Street, Melton),the Sample Cellar in Old Dalby or from the shop in Goadby Marwood - 8 Main Street, LE144LN. Call 01664 464823 for opening hours or to order by phone.


Local readsthis ChristmasThe Melton Bookshop is renowned for its wide selection of booksof local interest. This year sees notable additions.

Michael Clayton’s history of the Belvoir Hunt ‘The Belvoir’ (£25)is an enthralling work, superbly illustrated with a wealth ofphotographs both historic and contemporary.

Join us on a magical journeyto lands near and far

Themed sessions for childrenaged 2 to 7 years

Original songs, puppets, instruments andother colourful props bring the natural

world to life!Regular visits from real, live animals!

Pre-school sessions, parties, nurseries,schools and social events.

Tel Vanessa:07951 853204

Rainforst themed CD is now availableto buy. See our website for details

There are two exceptional rugby books: ‘Mad Dog – An Englishman’ (£20) theautobiography of Lewis Moody the former Leicester Tiger and ‘Engage’ (£16.99) the sadbut triumphant story of Matt Hampson, who dislocated his neck while training with youngEngland hopefuls. For round ball fans there is ‘Leicester City – The Glory Days’ (£12.99).

In fiction, Melton writer Aaron Booth’s début ‘Life Eternal’ (£10) will appeal to fans ofdark fantasy and vampires.

When local writer John Lambert tookon the huge task of translating Dante’s‘Divine Comedy’, he had one aim inmind: to provide his reader with plain,simple, and precise language in the spiritof Dante’s own vernacular. “If you wantto know what Dante actually said andhow he said it, you’ll find it in mytranslation”, he says.

John’s translation of ‘Hell’ was pub-lished in 2009. Now he has completed‘Purgatory’, which is more uplifting thanthe title might suggest, he explains.

“The second part of the Comedycontinues with Dante and his guide Virgilclimbing the cornices of MountPurgatory. It is far less bleak than Hell,because the punished will be forgivenand will eventually reach Paradise. Herewe have hope, songs rather than groans,and talk of art, poetry, life, philosophy,and love.”

Dante inplain English

Melton Bookshop’s speedy ordering service can source new or second-hand books aswell as CDs and DVDs. Many titles will be available for ordering up to 22 December.For free catalogues of the Christmas book highlights, call 01664 567769 or [email protected].

Liven uptheirChristmasparty!Tickled Skink still has availability ifyou’ve organised a Christmas party at aprimary school or nursery and arelooking for some fun entertainmentsuitable for children aged 18 months to7 years.

“Our Christmas themed sessionteaches children a little about life in apine tree and animals that live in coldplaces, along with some good oldtraditional Christmas songs”, saidVanessa, who runs Tickled Skink. “Itprovides fun for all through music,movement and lots of colourful props.The children can also meet two veryspecial live exotic animals!”

For details, visit www.tickledskink.co.ukor call Vanessa on 07951 853204.

Apart from books...The Melton Bookshop has lots of book-related gift ideas: jigsaws, mugs, bookmarks,booklights, magnifiers to name a few. Take a look also at the range of beautiful stationeryand the wide variety of calendars and diaries. The children’s area has finger puppets,games and bookmarks in addition to its extensive book selection.

TheMeltonBookshop01664 [email protected]

www.themeltonbookshop.co.uk5 Leicester StreetMelton Mowbray

• Any In Print Books from UK/USA• Free out-of-print search available• Difficult to find books• Local interest titles• 6000+ titles in stock• CD and DVD ordering service

‘Purgatory’, with notes and illustrations,is available from www.scripsi.org for£11.99 including P&P, or through yourlocal bookshop for £9.99.


In your gardenby Helen Osborne of Church View Nursery

Featured plant: Helleborus Niger, an evergreen plant with dark, leathery, pedate leavescarried on stems to 9–12 in (23–30 cm) tall. The large, flat flowers, borne on shortstems from midwinter to early spring, are white or occasionally pink.

Gardeners welcomeSileby Garden Gnomes Gardening Clubwelcomes new members and visitors. Theclub meets at the Methodist Church Roomsin King Street, Sileby every second Wednes-day of the month between September andMay (at 7.45 pm) and has regular speakers.For details, call 01509 816545.

Hello Gardeners!

The days are getting shorter, and it is not as pleasant to be out in the garden, but there are

still some jobs that need to be done. The leaves have stayed on the trees for longer this

autumn, but the remaining ones have now fallen. It is very important to remove any from

the pond, if you have one, but also off perennials and shrubs. If you don’t have a

compost heap to put them on, put them in a plastic bag, seal, and place a weight on top.

This will help the leaves to break down and make compost quicker. If the leaves are large

and dry, cut them up and water them.

This year we grew Dahlias for cut flowers at the nursery; they have flowered continually

for about six months. If you also have some, wait for the first frosts, till the leaves blacken,

then carefully lift them, allow the foliage to die back completely, then store in a frost free

place ready for next spring when they will start to shoot again.

Can you knit?Dove Cottage Day Hospice is looking forpeople to knit chicks and bunnies to sell inthe shops for next Easter. Having madealmost £1000 from knitted chick and bunnysales this year, the plan is to make and selleven more next year. For information andpatterns, call 01949 860303.

Keep active this winter

Did you know that Voluntary Action Melton offers computer classesfor over 50s or people with a disability?

You can use your sessions to learn how to set up an email account,Skype your family or friends in foreign parts, save money by switchingyour energy company, or shop for goods online. In fact, whatever youwant to use your computer for, you’ll get the help you need. You canalso try out a digital/video camera and upload the results.

All abilities welcome, from complete beginners up. £5 per session.

For more information or to book your place, contact Voluntary Action Melton on01664 483043.

Cheap parkingThe next time you’re planning a car journeyto London or other UK city, whether to goshopping for the day or to go to an eveningevent, make sure to check out www.parkatmyhouse.com for a list of places topark that could save you a lot of money!

In briefPark & Ride this ChristmasLeicester’s Park and Rides are extending theirhours this Christmas to ease the stresses andstrains of festive shopping. For the first threeSundays in December, all three sites includingthe one at Birstall will be open. The servicewill also operate (for the first time this year)on 26 and 27 December, to help bargainhunters get to the sales. For the full timetable,visit www.quicksilverbus.co.uk or call 0116305 0002.

Get online and connect with the world!

Have you had a fall or are you worried about falling? Perhaps the thoughtof venturing out as much as you used to in the summer is filling you withdread now that the colder, darker days are here (particularly if memoriesof last winter are still fresh in your mind).

Well, if you live anywhere in the borough of Melton, VoluntaryAction Melton might be able to help. Their home-based exerciseprogramme for older people is designed to prevent falls byimproving strength and balance enabling those taking part tofeel more confident and independent in their everyday activities.

The programme is free except for a small refundabledeposit for the loan of a set of ankle weights.

If you, a family member, or anyone you know, is interestedin the programme, contact Catherine Hallinan, Activityfor Health Co-ordinator, for more details.

Tel: 01664 485302. Email: [email protected].


Where to go forlocal produce?A national community interest group has come up with

an iniative to bring back more local trading and reverse

the trend of buying fresh produce from the supermarkets.

Big Barn has been operating for 10 years and is dedicated to reconnecting consumers

with their local producers. Its website www.bigbarn.org.uk gives people access, via a

postcode search facility, to maps and directories of local outlets selling all manner of

locally sourced food and non-food items. (You can also buy from some of them online.)

Now Big Barn’s ‘Crop for the Shop’ initiative goes a step further by actively encouraging

people to sell excess fruit and vegetables through their local shop, and encouraging

small independent shops to seek out local homegrown and homemade produce. Shops

participating in ‘Crop for the Shop’ are marked on the website’s food map with a rosette.

The idea should appeal to people who are either looking for produce that is cheaper

and fresher than in the supermarket, or would like to reduce their food bill by actually

selling to, or getting credit notes from the local shop. Over time it is hoped that the

scheme will even encourage the opening of community stores, especially in the villages.

An exhibition called ‘Please Shut theGate’ in Loughborough Town Hall from19 January to 3 March 2012 will featurethe work of two artists from the EastMidlands.

Mark Langley uses pencil and colourpencil to create his work which, unlikemost paintings, looks even better at closequarters. Rural life is a major influence inMark’s work. The work exhibited here isinspired by the countryside around hisDerbyshire studio.

Marcia Blagg’s work starts with digitalphotography. From here she manipulatesher images, experimenting with adding‘hand drawn’ layers and then printingonto different materials. Her farm andcountryside animals were what first drewher to the world of photography. Marcialives and works in South Leicestershire.

Exhibition of rural life

If you own a local shop or know one that might be interested in this scheme (youmight even be thinking of setting up a shop yourself), take a look at the ‘Crop for theShop’ page on the Big Barn website - www.bigbarn.co.uk/aboutus/crop.php. If you’dlike to contact Big Barn, call 01480 890970 or email [email protected].

Open weekdays 9.30am-5.30pm (Wed 9.30am-1pm),Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 9.30am-1pm

Tel: 0116 269 5505

Church View NurseryQUENIBOROUGH ROAD, BARKBY

FRIENDLY, PERSONAL SERVICE

Winter beddingChristmas treesWreathsWinter logs & coalFresh fruit & vegPicklesBird foodGift ideas


DECEMBER

2 Humphrey Perkins CommunityCentre, Barrow on Soar, 7pm. ShooShoo Baby’s Christmas Party. Lots offestive and non-festive songs. Tel:07718 153117/01509 413227

3 Seagrave Memorial Hall, 11am-2pm.Friends of Seagrave School ChristmasFayre. Crafts & games, Xmas hampersto be won. Santa. Tel: 0741 264 8838.

3 St Michael & All Angels Church, Rearsby,10am-12noon. Christmas coffeemorning with carol singing, cake stall,cards, paintings, raffle, tombola,children’s activities and refreshments.Entrance £1 to include a mince pieand cup of tea.

3 Dove Cottage Day Hospice, Stathern,2-4pm. Christmas Fayre. Gifts, cards,cakes, plants, music, mince pies &mulled wine, prize draw. Tel: 01949860303.

3 52 Station Road, Rearsby, 11am-3pm.Christmas Shopping See advert onpage 6.

3 Holloway House, Quorn LE12 8GA, 2-5pm. Christmas Fair with giant raffle.Buffet, assorted stalls. giant raffle with60 prizes. £2.50 admission. Tel: 01509416040.

3 Manor Farm Barn, Rearsby, 7.30pm.Christmas Barn Dance, with music bythe James Joyce Folk Band. Tickets £10incl. glass of mulled wine and mincepies. Drinks also available from the bar.For more info/to book, call Anne/ Tim:01664 424239/07715 181909.

3/6 Sage Cross Methodist Church &Community Centre, 10am-4pm (6thtil 12 noon) Admission by programme:£1.50 (under 12s free). Food & drinksavailable every day. ‘Songs of Praise’at 4pm on Sun. Wide range of cribsmade from many different materialsfrom around the world.

4 St Mary Magdalene Church, Walthamon the Wolds, 7.30pm. Christmas CarolConcert with the Belvoir Wassailers. Tel:01949 860303.

4 Bottestord Victory CommemorationHall, 7.30pm. Shoo Shoo Baby’sChristmas Party. Lots of festive andnon-festive songs. Tel: 01949 842868.

JANUARY

Diary 6 Birstall Library, 7.30-9pm. Talk onChristmas rationing and recipes duringWW2. £3. Tel: 0116 305 8756

10 52 Station Road, Rearsby, 11am-3pm.Christmas Shopping. See advert onpage 6.

10 Charnwood Museum, Loughborough,10am-12noon, 1-2.30pm. ChristmasCraft Workshop (all ages), makingfestive decorations. Tel: 01509 233754.

10 Melton Carnegie Museum, Melton,10.15am, 11.30am, 2pm. CreativeChristmas Crafts for 5-12 year olds.Free but pre-booking required. Tel:0116 305 3860.

10 St Mary’s Parish Church, Melton,7.30pm. Global Harmony sing ‘Songsfor Christmas’. Tickets £8 incl. wine/mince pies. See advert on page 8.

10 Tilton on the Hill Village Hall, 10am-3pm. Christmas Fair. Stalls, mulledwine, food stalls, roasted chestnuts,Santa. Free admission.

10 St Peter’s Church, Tilton on the Hill,10.30am-6.30pm. Festival of Deco-rated Christmas Trees. Tel: 0116 2597632.

10 Budgens, Mountsorrel LE12 7TZ10am-4pm. Christmas Food & Gift Fairat Mountsorrel Farmers’ Market. Tel:01509 881386.

12 Swithland Reservoir, 10am-12 noon(meet at the dam). Morning birdwatching walk organised by theLoughborough RSPB. For details go tothe group’s page at www.rspb.org.ukor email [email protected].

16 Market Place, Loughborough 10am-4pm. English Food & Drink Festival.Quality food & drink from around thecountry.

17 Charnwood Museum, Loughborough,10.30am-12.30pm, ArtZone Art & CraftWorkshop for 8-15 year olds - making‘crafty people’ Christmas treedecorations. £5 (£2.50 conc).Tel: 01509233754.

17 Village Hall, Gaddesby, 10am. Start ofGaddesby Gallop. See page 3.

17/20 St Mary’s Church, Harby, 12-5pm,Christmas Tree Festival with floralarrangements depicting ‘Peacethroughout the World’, Programme 50p.Refreshments.

14 Charnwood Museum, Loughborough,10.30m-12.30pm, ArtZone Art & CraftWorkshop for 8-15 year olds - dry pointetching. £5 (£2.50 conc).Tel: 01509233754.

14 Humphrey Perkins School, Barrowupon Soar, 7.30pm. The CharnwoodOrchestra Strauss concert: popularclassics by the Strauss family andother Viennese masters. For tickets/information, phone 0771 8153117 oremail sharrison20@ hotmaill.com.

18 Long Clawson Village Halll, 7pm.Hansel & Gretel. A classic tale re-toldby Mike Kenny. Tel: 01664 822247 /823367.

21 Charnwood Museum, Loughborough,10.30m-12.30pm, ArtZone Art & CraftWorkshop for 8-15 year olds - makingsculptures from natural materials. £5(£2.50 conc).Tel: 01509 233754.

26 Wymondham Village Hall, 7.30pm.The Churchfitters in Concert. Fourmusicians from England, Ireland &France entertain with a variety ofmusic and songs. Tel: 01572 787247/07792 756511.

28 Charnwood Museum, Loughborough,10.30m-12.30pm, ArtZone Painting &Drawing Workshop for 8-15 year olds -exploring the colour black. £5 (£2.50conc).Tel: 01509 233754

28 Old Dalby Village Hall, 7.30pm. TheChurchfitters in Concert. Fourmusicians from England, Ireland &France entertain with a variety ofmusic and songs. Tel: 01664 822603.

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE OF VILLAGE CONNECT!If you don’t receive a copy of Village Connect through your door, we can post it to you.

See page 2 for more information or subscribe online atwww.villageconnect.co.uk/subscribe.html

While every effort is made to ensure information in theDiary is correct, Village Connect cannot be held

responsible for any errors it contains

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1st and 2nd fix joinery

Cut and truss roofing

Skirting and architrave

Floor and wall tiling

Stair parts

Fencing, gates and decking

Doors and windows

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Wood and laminate flooring

Mobile: 07737 922721

Phone: 01162 607166

Email: [email protected]

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Loughborough Road, Wanlip, Leicester LE7 4PN

Tel: 0116 267 6167 • Fax: 0116 267 4016Mobile: 07860 548226

[email protected]

Another QualityConservatory Installation

Est.

1978

Many of the local libraries have seasonal events during Decemberto help put everyone in the festive mood. All those listed below arefree unless otherwise stated.

Talk6 December, Birstall Library, 7.30-9pm. Nick Marshall will be givinga talk at Birstall Library about recipes and how people made themost of rationing during the Second World War. There will be acharge of £3 which includes refreshments. To book, call 0116 3058756.

Carols10 December, Loughborough Library, 10.30am Festive cheer withcarols, punch and mince pies. Call 0116 305 2420.16 December, Shepshed Library 10am-12noon. Free . Listen to theShepshed Community band play seasonal music while you enjoy acup of coffee. Call 0116 305 3678.19 December, Syston Library, 10am-1pm. Children from St Peter &St Paul’s School will be singing carols and refreshments will beavailable to raise money for charity. Call 0116 305 3500.

Christmas stories and rhymes for the under fives......at Rothley (9 Dec, 10-10.45am), Sileby (14 Dec, 2.15-3pm), Birstall(19 Dec, 10-11am) and Loughborough (20 Dec, 10-10.30am & 22Dec, 2.15-2.35pm).

Festive fun atthe libraries

Summerdiscountsavailable

End ofyear discount

available


Bramley & RoseWe design, produce and manufacturebespoke handmade and hand finished

in the Vale of BelvoirSpecial Occasion & Wedding Stationery

www.bramleyandrose.co.uk05602 836590 / 07765 295533

Classifieds

Call 01664 424239 or 07725 705150 oremail [email protected]

Charming wedding/party venueConverted 18th century barnSuitable for up to 100 guests

B&B accommodation available at farm

THE BARN @ MANOR FARMREARSBY

STATIONERY & PRINTING

Hungarton, Leicestershire LE7 9JF0116 259 5224

www.quenbyhall.co.uk

A magical wedding venue

0116 269 2812/ 07973 776240

BUILDING WORK

CARPETS & FLOORING

Quality carpets, laminate & cushionflooring supplied and fitted

KEV TAYLOR

M: 07737 922721 T: 01162 607166E: [email protected]

1st/2nd fix, roofing, kitchen fitting,doors & windows, flooring, skirting,architrave, tiling, stair parts, fencing,gates & decking

CARPENTRY AND JOINERY

VENUES

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Emergency 24 Hour Call OutDomestic, Commercial & IndustrialReliable, Prompt & Friendly Service

‘Part P’ Registered - Property Maintenance

01949 [email protected]

No jobtoo small

All articles are the copyright of Wordcraft Writing & Design or the individualcontributor and may not be reproduced without permission.Any views expressed in the articles do not necessarily represent thoseof the publisher and are the responsibility of individual contributors.Equally, the inclusion of an advertisement in the magazine is not anendorsement by the publisher of the product or service advertised.

Published by Wordcraft Writing & Design2 Brook House Close, Rearsby, Leicester LE7 4YGEditor: Louise Lambert01664 424254 / 07879 [email protected]

Next issue: Feb/March 2012Copy deadline: 13 January 2012

Printed by Warwick Printingwww.warwickprinting.co.uk

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

ON THIS PAGE

from as little as £10 per issue

To book your space call

01664 424254

HEALTH & BEAUTY

village

Connect

M.S.C. WOOD PRODUCTS••••• Containerised trees• • • • • Decorative woods• • • • • Walking stick shanks

01664 424 54807587 696 383

www.mscwoodproducts.co.uk

Colin Simpson Reliable GardenerREARSBY LANDSCAPES

OAP DiscountFree No Obligation QuoteFull Liability Insurance

Mobile 07984 620148Home 01664 424045Email [email protected]

GARDEN & TREE SERVICES

GIFT IDEAS (See pages 6 & 7)

UPHOLSTERY REPAIR

Includes: over 100 pages of notes;28 illustrations redesigned from GustaveDoré’s original engravings; two originalmaps of Purgatory and the medievalcosmos.

DANTE’S PURGATORY: A NEW TRANSLATION

BY LOCAL WRITER JOHN LAMBERT

Available from www.scripsi.orgor order from your local bookshop

LEAFLETS

For a quote, call Louise at Village Connect

01664 424254

We design & print

at excellent rates

village connect, dec11/jan12 issue

Documents